[syn: pinch, vellicate]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Vellicate \Vel"li*cate\, v. i.
To move spasmodically; to twitch; as, a nerve vellicates.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Vellicate \Vel"li*cate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Vellicated; p.
pr. & vb. n. Vellicating.] [L. vellicatus, p. p. of
vellicare to twitch, fr. vellere to pluck, pull.]
To twitch; to cause to twitch convulsively.
[1913 Webster]
Convulsions, arising from something vellicating a nerve
in its extremity, are not very dangerous. --Arbuthnot.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
vellicate
v 1: touch (a body part) lightly so as to excite the surface
nerves and cause uneasiness, laughter, or spasmodic
movements [syn: tickle, titillate, vellicate]
2: irritate as if by a nip, pinch, or tear; "smooth surfaces can
vellicate the teeth"; "the pain is as if sharp points pinch
your back" [syn: pinch, vellicate]