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Glite Dictionary
to vellicate

to vellicate

9.9
To touch the skin lightly to make it tingle or twitch
  • verb
  • /ˈvɛlɪˌkeɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : cosquillear
  • The doctor used a feather to vellicate the patient's skin and test nerve response.

Examples

  • Repeatedly vellicating the area behind the knee can cause uncontrollable giggles.

  • If you vellicate the sole of his foot, he instinctively pulls away.

  • The feather vellicates her skin gently.

  • Don't vellicate my arm like that!

  • If you vellicate the sole of his foot, he instinctively pulls away.

  • The doctor used a feather to vellicate the patient's skin and test nerve response.

  • Don't vellicate my arm like that!

Synonyms

to tickle
vsto vellicate
94 1.0

To touch someone lightly so they feel a tingle or laugh

is a light touch that causes tingling or twitching without laughter
to tingle
vsto vellicate
43 3.5

To have a small prickly feeling on the skin often from excitement or cold

is a light touch that causes tingling or twitching without emotional anticipation
to prickle
vsto vellicate
4 4.0

Cause a small stinging or tingling feeling on the skin

is a gentler surface touch causing tingling and twitching rather than sharp pain
to titillate
vsto vellicate
1 8.4

Touch lightly so the skin feels tickled or moves a little

is a light irritant touch causing tingling and twitching without strong unease

How Stimulating

sting
64 1.4
prick
7 5.0
to vellicate
  • Specialized
9.9
to tickle
94 1.0
to touch
∞ 1.0
to brush
133 1.6

Surface Forms

vellicate infinitive
vellicated past
vellicated past participle
vellicating present participle
vellicates third person singular

Morphology

vellicate = vellic + ate

The element 'vellic' is not a standalone English word and the verb is a learned formation with a Latinate suffix, so an average learner cannot reliably derive the meaning from its parts.

Etymology

Vellicate comes from the Latin vellicare meaning 'to pluck' or 'to pinch', from vellere 'to pull'. So to vellicate today is to give a light pinch or quick touch that makes someone twitch or feel a little tickle.