twitch

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Medicine

n. a short, sudden movement of a muscle.

n. a brief, sudden, and often involuntary contraction of a muscle or muscle group.

“A nervous twitch in his cheek showed that he was actually quite angry.”

“The patient complained of a persistent twitch in her left calf, which the doctor attributed to a minor electrolyte imbalance.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Informal · British English

n. a trip taken specifically to see a rare bird that has been spotted somewhere.

n. the act of traveling a long distance to see a rare bird that has been sighted by others.

“He went on a long twitch to the coast to see the rare eagle.”

“The news of the rare warbler's arrival sparked a massive twitch, with hundreds of enthusiasts descending on the small nature reserve.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Technical

n. a tool used to keep a horse still by tightening a loop around its lip.

n. a device consisting of a loop of cord or chain at the end of a stick, used to restrain a horse by applying pressure to the upper lip.

“The vet used a twitch to keep the horse calm while cleaning the wound.”

“Applying the twitch causes the release of endorphins in the horse, which helps keep the animal stationary during minor medical procedures.”