vellicate

verb /ˈvɛlɪkeɪt/

1. To touch (a body part) lightly so as to excite the surface nerves and cause uneasiness, laughter, or spasmodic movements.

   transitive

   Convulſions ariſing from Some Acrimony in the Stomach, or from ſomething vellicating a Nerve in its Extremity, and not in its Original where it ariſeth from the Brain, are not very dangerous.

2. To twitch or move convulsively.

   intransitive

3. To tickle, provoking twitching and laughter.

   transitive

4. To criticize in a somewhat irritating way; to carp at.

   figuratively, transitive

   Sir, I Have received yours, and reading the Confirmation of your Hypotheſis (which I took the boldneſs a little to vellicate) and your Anſwer to my Objections againſt it, I could not but obſerve your ingenious dexterity therein with pleaſure.

Where it comes from

From Latin vellicatus, past participle of vellicare (“to twitch”). Cognate with Spanish pellizcar (“to pinch”).

Adapted from the Wiktionary entry vellicate (CC BY-SA 4.0).

← velleityvellichor →

Another random word More words starting with V