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Glite Dictionary
Tourette syndrome

Tourette syndrome

1 4.9
A brain condition that makes people make sudden movements or sounds they cannot control
  • noun
  • /tuˈrɛt ˈsɪn.drəm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : síndrome de Tourette
  • The doctors told me that the unusual movements I had were due to Tourette syndrome.

Yeah, That itch that I described to me, that's Tourette syndrome, OK?

Examples

  • Bobby had trouble making friends because of his Tourette syndrome, which caused him to make involuntary sounds.

  • Dedmon discusses Tourette syndrome, a frequently undiagnosed verbal and motor tic disorder, and its impact on the social life of children, families, and others with whom they interact, particularly those within the educational system.

    Academic text (1990)

  • To enrich the understanding of Tourette syndrome, one student had the class affect the symptoms of the disorder.

    Academic text (1992)

  • Challenges: Jonathan has autism, ADHD, and Tourette syndrome.

    Blog text (12)

  • Dedmon notes that Tourette syndrome poses special problems for the school-age child.

    Academic text (1990)

  • Well, Julie and Alan say their daughter Baylin suffers from Tourette syndrome, OCD and depression, but copes by raising awareness on social media.

  • The school is a microcosm that illustrates the needs of teachers, students, and others who constitute the educational system to know more about Tourette syndrome and other genetic disorders and suggests the need for the broader society to become more aware of these disorders as well.

    Academic text (1990)

  • Some people with Tourette syndrome experience uncontrollable tics, such as blinking or making noises.

Synonyms

Tourette's syndrome
vsTourette syndrome
  • Specialized
4 6.2

A brain condition that causes repeated movements and sounds you cannot control

is stated more generally without mention of coprolalia
Gilles de la Tourette syndrome
vsTourette syndrome
  • Specialized
6.5

A brain disorder that causes sudden unwanted movements and sounds, sometimes rude words

is the simpler general description rather than the formal name

Surface Forms

Tourette syndrome singular
Tourette syndromes plural

Morphology

Tourette + syndrome

The noun 'syndrome' clearly signals a medical/clinical condition, so a learner who knows both words can infer that this is a disorder. However, 'Tourette' is an eponymic proper name with no descriptive meaning, so the specific characteristics (involuntary motor and vocal tics) are not derivable from the parts; this yields only partial transparency.

Etymology

Tourette syndrome is named after a French doctor, Georges Gilles de la Tourette, who first described the condition. That's why the name refers to the disorder of 'uncontrolled movements and sounds', often called 'tics'.