---
title: twitch — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «twitch» in the school dictionary: To make a small, quick movement that you do not mean to make. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# twitch

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** you, twitch, eye, rabbit, eyelid, I · **What happens:** make, not mean, move, be, twitch, keep · **To what, where:** small quick movement, something, nose, tail, bird, curtain

<!-- .vabout -->
«twitch» in the school dictionary: its 3 meanings for a pupil and its 6 examples, every sentence parsed by Mova itself — its syntax tree, a dependency tree in the style of Universal Dependencies, and its pragmatics clause by clause. The word in the dictionary, with its sense in the lessons: [twitch in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/twitch.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To make a small, quick movement that you do not mean to make.

<!-- fold The tree, 13 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:twitch:m1:1
# text = To make a small, quick movement that you do not mean to make.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	make	make	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
4	small	small	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	4	punct	_	_
6	quick	quick	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	movement	movement	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
8	that	that	SCONJ	IN	_	12	mark	_	_
9	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	12	nsubj	_	_
10	do	do	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	12	aux	_	_
11	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	12	advmod	_	_
12	mean	mean	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	7	acl:relcl	_	_
13	to	to	PART	TO	_	14	mark	_	_
14	make	make	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	12	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **make** | to-infinitive |  | a small quick movement |  |  |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset movement=Product |
| 2 | **not** **mean** | present · do-support | you | a small quick movement *not said here* |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **make** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive | you *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset |

<!-- .note -->
One row per clause the reader finds. «not said here»: a role filled from the clause above. «roles by»: a VerbNet class and frame when one fits the verb, else the reader's rules on the tree.

<!-- .note -->
The example in this meaning, parsed on its own:

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
"My eye twitched."

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:twitch:m1e:1
# text = "My eye twitched."
1	"	"	PUNCT	``	_	4	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	My	my	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	3	nmod:poss	_	_
3	eye	eye	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	twitched	twitch	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	"	"	PUNCT	''	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **twitch** *in a quote* | participle | My eye |  |  |  |  |  | vn body\_internal\_motion-49.1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To move something a little and quickly.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:twitch:m2:1
# text = To move something a little and quickly.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	move	move	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	2	obj	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	little	little	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	obl:unmarked	_	_
6	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	7	cc	_	_
7	quickly	quickly	ADV	RB	_	5	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **move** | to-infinitive |  | something |  |  |  | a little *obl:unmarked* | vn roll-51.3.1 «NP V NP.theme»: agent=Agent something=Theme |

<!-- .note -->
The example in this meaning, parsed on its own:

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
"The rabbit twitched its nose."

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:twitch:m2e:1
# text = "The rabbit twitched its nose."
1	"	"	PUNCT	``	_	4	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	rabbit	rabbit	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	twitched	twitch	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	its	its	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	6	nmod:poss	_	_
6	nose	nose	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	"	"	PUNCT	''	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **twitch** *in a quote* | past | the rabbit | rabbit's nose |  |  |  |  | vn crane-40.3.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent nose=Patient |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A twitch is such a small quick movement.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:twitch:m3:1
# text = A twitch is such a small quick movement.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	twitch	twitch	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	8	cop	_	_
4	such	such	DET	PDT	PronType=Ind	8	det:predet	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
6	small	small	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	amod	_	_
7	quick	quick	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	amod	_	_
8	movement	movement	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a twitch | such small quick movement |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The rabbit twitched its nose.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:twitch:x1:1
# text = The rabbit twitched its nose.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	rabbit	rabbit	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	twitched	twitch	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	its	its	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	5	nmod:poss	_	_
5	nose	nose	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **twitch** | past | the rabbit | rabbit's nose |  |  |  |  | vn crane-40.3.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent nose=Patient |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
My eyelid keeps twitching when I am tired.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:twitch:x2:1
# text = My eyelid keeps twitching when I am tired.
1	My	my	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	2	nmod:poss	_	_
2	eyelid	eyelid	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	keeps	keep	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	twitching	twitch	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	3	xcomp	_	_
5	when	when	SCONJ	WRB	_	8	mark	_	_
6	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	8	nsubj	_	_
7	am	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	8	cop	_	_
8	tired	tired	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **keep** | present | My eyelid |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **twitch** | gerund | My eyelid *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn body\_internal\_motion-49.1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **is** | present | I |  |  |  |  | tired *property* | tree rules |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The cat's tail twitched as it watched the bird.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:twitch:x3:1
# text = The cat's tail twitched as it watched the bird.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	cat	cat	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nmod:poss	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	's	's	PART	POS	_	2	case	_	_
4	tail	tail	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
5	twitched	twitch	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	4	acl	_	_
6	as	as	SCONJ	IN	_	8	mark	_	_
7	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	8	nsubj	_	_
8	watched	watch	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	5	advcl	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	bird	bird	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **twitch** | participle |  | the cat's tail *not said here* |  |  |  |  | vn body\_internal\_motion-49.1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **watch** | past | tail | the bird |  |  |  |  | vn assessment-34.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent bird=Theme |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The curtain twitched as we walked past.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:twitch:x4:1
# text = The curtain twitched as we walked past.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	curtain	curtain	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
3	twitched	twitch	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	2	acl	_	_
4	as	as	SCONJ	IN	_	6	mark	_	_
5	we	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	6	nsubj	_	_
6	walked	walk	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	3	advcl	_	_
7	past	past	ADV	RB	_	6	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **twitch** | participle |  | the curtain *not said here* |  |  |  |  | vn body\_internal\_motion-49.1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **walk** | past | we |  |  |  |  | past *property* | vn run-51.3.2-2-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
He felt a twitch in his leg.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:twitch:x5:1
# text = He felt a twitch in his leg.
1	He	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	felt	feel	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	twitch	twitch	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	in	in	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	his	his	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	7	nmod:poss	_	_
7	leg	leg	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **feel** | past | He | a twitch |  | his leg |  |  | vn hunt-35.1 «NP V NP PP.location»: agent=Agent twitch=Theme in leg=Location |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The dog's paws twitched while it was dreaming.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:twitch:x6:1
# text = The dog's paws twitched while it was dreaming.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	dog	dog	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nmod:poss	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	's	's	PART	POS	_	2	case	_	_
4	paws	paw	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	0	root	_	_
5	twitched	twitch	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	4	acl	_	_
6	while	while	SCONJ	IN	_	9	mark	_	_
7	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	9	nsubj	_	_
8	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	9	aux	_	_
9	dreaming	dream	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	5	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **twitch** | participle |  | the dog's paws *not said here* |  |  |  |  | vn body\_internal\_motion-49.1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **dream** | past · progressive | dog |  |  |  |  |  | vn cognize-85 «NP V PP.topic»: agent=Agent |

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**Text:** the school dictionary of Mova's schools (`world/data/dictionary-schools/`), written for Mova. **Trees:** Mova's own parse — the `en` model on the CPU, when the site is built — not checked by a teacher; they may be wrong. **Frames:** Mova's frames reader (`prag`), each meaning and example read on its own. Elamur Cosmic License.

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