twitches

[/twɪtʃɪz/]
noun/verbpl: twitches
tremores, espasmos, contrações involuntárias
1. Sudden, involuntary jerking movements of muscles or body parts
He has nervous twitches in his eye when he's stressed.
Ele tem tremores nervosos no olho quando está estressado.
2. Third person singular present tense of 'twitch' - to make sudden jerking movements
Her eye twitches whenever she drinks too much coffee.
O olho dela se contrai sempre que bebe muito café.
3. Plural noun referring to multiple involuntary muscular spasms
The patient complained of several twitches throughout the day.
O paciente reclamou de vários espasmos ao longo do dia.
In both American and Brazilian contexts, eye twitches are commonly associated with stress or caffeine consumption. The term is widely used in medical and everyday contexts. In Brazil, 'tique nervoso' (nervous tic) is also commonly used, especially in colloquial speech.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
spasmsjerksconvulsionsticstremorscontractions
Antonyms / Antônimos
stillnesscalmnessstability

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
tremores, espasmos, contrações involuntárias
Most common usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
tiques, contrações
Often uses 'tiques' for nervous tics
São Paulo
espasmos, tremores
More formal/medical terminology preferred
Portugal
espasmos, contrações involuntárias
European Portuguese uses similar terms but with different stress patterns

Related Words

twitchmusclespasmreflexinvoluntaryticjerkconvulsion

Related Idioms & Phrases

eye twitch
nervous twitch
muscle twitch
twitch in one's eye
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