Vellicate (Verb)
Meaning 1
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".
Classification
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 2
Touch (a body part) lightly so as to excite the surface nerves and cause uneasiness, laughter, or spasmodic movements.
Classification
Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling.
Examples
- Her little brother loved to vellicate her stomach to make her squirm and giggle.
- The mischievous cousin would often vellicate her younger sibling's armpits to elicit a laugh.
- The physical therapist used a feather to vellicate the patient's feet in an attempt to stimulate muscle response.
- Tickling her underarms was her partner's go-to move to vellicate her and end a grumpy mood.
- During the playful argument, her friend would vellicate her sides to weaken her defenses.