tic Definition
- 1a sudden, repetitive, nonrhythmic motor movement or vocalization involving discrete muscle groups
- 2a habitual spasmodic contraction of the muscles, most often in the face
- 3a feature of a particular situation or system, especially one that is regarded as immutable
Using tic: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "tic" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He has a nervous tic that causes him to blink frequently.
Example
The child's tic was so severe that it interfered with his ability to speak.
Example
The stock market's daily fluctuations are a tic of the economy.
tic Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for tic
Phrases with tic
a game in which two players take turns marking Xs and Os on a 3x3 grid, with the objective of getting three of their marks in a row horizontally, vertically, or diagonally
Example
Let's play a quick game of Tic Tac Toe before dinner.
Example
She developed a nervous tic after the car accident.
Example
The two politicians engaged in a heated debate, with each trying to get in a good tic for tac.
Origins of tic
from Middle French 'tic' or Middle Dutch 'tikken', meaning 'to touch or pat'
Summary: tic in Brief
A 'tic' [tɪk] is a sudden, repetitive, nonrhythmic motor movement or vocalization involving discrete muscle groups. It can also refer to a habitual spasmodic contraction of the muscles, most often in the face. In a broader sense, 'tic' can describe a feature of a particular situation or system, especially one that is regarded as immutable. Examples include 'He has a nervous tic that causes him to blink frequently' and 'The stock market's daily fluctuations are a tic of the economy.'
