vellicate

Verb

touch (a body part) lightly so as to excite the surface nerves and cause uneasiness, laughter, or spasmodic movements
irritate as if by a nip, pinch, or tear
- "smooth surfaces can vellicate the teeth"
To touch (a body part) lightly so as to excite the surface nerves and cause uneasiness, laughter, or spasmodic movements.
To twitch or move convulsively.
To tickle, provoking twitching and laughter.
To criticize in a somewhat irritating way; to carp at.

Origin / Etymology

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

Synonyms

Scrabble Score: 14

vellicate: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
vellicate: not valid in Scrabble (MW) Merriam-Webster Dictionary
vellicate: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 0

vellicate: not valid in Words With Friends