tic

plural tics

1. medicineA sudden, nonrhythmic motor movement or vocalization.

   Tourette syndrome is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by multiple tics. A tic is a sudden, rapid, repetitive, non-rhythmic movement (e.g. eye blinking) or vocalization (e.g. throat clearing).

   2020, Andrea E. Cavanna, Pharmacological Treatment of Tics, Cambridge University Press, →ISBN, page 9

2. broadlySomething that is done or produced habitually or characteristically.

   1 more example

   Boyle revives some of the stylistic tics which found themselves being ripped off by geezer-gangster Britflicks back in the day, but now the freezeframes are briefer, sharper; the movie itself refers back to the original with variant flashback versions of famous scenes, but also Super 8-type images of the boys’ poignant boyhood in primary school.

   2017 January 19, Peter Bradshaw, “T2 Trainspotting review – choose a sequel that doesn't disappoint”, in the Guardian

present singular third person tics · participle present ticcing · participle past ticced · past ticced

1. intransitiveTo exhibit a tic; to undergo a sudden, semi-voluntary muscle movement.

   Patients often describe the need to tic as the mounting of inner tension, localized either to the body region where the tic is about to occur or throughout the body.

   2020, Andrea E. Cavanna, Pharmacological Treatment of Tics, Cambridge University Press, →ISBN, page 9

plural tics

1. abbreviationclippinginformalClipping of ticket.

plural TICs

1. abbreviationcountableinitialismuncountableInitialism of tourist information centre.
2. abbreviationcountableinitialismuncountablelawInitialism of tenancy in common.
3. abbreviationcountableinitialismuncountablebusinessInitialism of total invested capital.
4. UKabbreviationcountableinitialismcriminal lawgovernmentInitialism of offence to be taken into consideration.

   TICs must be admitted by a defendant in addition to the crimes for which they have been convicted.

5. abbreviationcountableinitialismuncountablebiologyInitialism of translocon on inner chloroplast membrane.
6. abbreviationcountableinitialismuncountableInitialism of thermal imaging camera.