tic
Pathology.
a sudden, spasmodic, painless, involuntary muscular contraction, as of the face.
a persistent or recurrent behavioral trait; personal quirk: her distinctive verbal tics.
Origin of tic
1Words that may be confused with tic
- tic , tick
Other definitions for -tic (2 of 2)
a suffix, equivalent in meaning to -ic, occurring in adjectives of Greek origin (analytic), used especially in the formation of adjectives from nouns with stems in -sis: hematotic; neurotic.
Origin of -tic
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use tic in a sentence
We know his gestures, his tics, his pet peeves, and his turn-ons.
He’s Still Older, Even in the Moonlight: Woody Allen’s May-December Romances Inspire Scrutiny | Teo Bugbee | July 25, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAnd for some at the luncheon, these Republican tics were an issue.
The RNC Celebrates MLK Jr. and How Republicans Can Win Black Voters | Jamelle Bouie | August 27, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTHe had a zany sense of humor, and he could laugh at his own personality tics, especially a mania for self-promotion.
Despite such tics and stumbles, Paul seems serious about making the transition from curiosity to contender.
Ron Paul: Cult Hero or Legitimate Contender? | Michelle Cottle | December 28, 2011 | THE DAILY BEASTHer many style tics—stacked one atop the other—read as code for narcissism, self-indulgence, and brittle self-absorption.
Newt Gingrich's Wife Callista's Prissy Style Problem | Robin Givhan | December 13, 2011 | THE DAILY BEAST
"Rheum'tics done gone foh good, Ma'y Weeze," he said, his round face all smiles.
Mary Louise in the Country | L. Frank Baum (AKA Edith Van Dyne)Patris′tics, the knowledge of the fathers as a subject of study—sometimes Patrol′ogy.
Pharmaceū′tics, the science of preparing medicines; Pharmaceū′tist, one who practises pharmacy.
I have seen these coughs in children in cases where I was sure that they were nothing but tics.
Psychotherapy | James J. WalshLes paupières, les lèvres, toutes les fibres de cette face tremblaient de tics nerveux.
Political and Literary essays, 1908-1913 | Evelyn Baring
British Dictionary definitions for tic
/ (tɪk) /
Origin of tic
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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