crick
/krik/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A painful, sudden stiffness or spasm in a muscle, typically in the neck or back: A "crick" is a localized, often sharp pain and stiffness caused by a muscle cramp or minor strain, making movement uncomfortable.
- [Proper Noun] Francis Crick: The surname of the English scientist who co-discovered the structure of DNA.
Verb:
- To cause a crick in a body part: To twist or strain a part of the body, especially the neck or back, resulting in a painful, stiff muscle.
Examples
Noun:
- I woke up with a crick in my neck from sleeping in an awkward position.
- After lifting those heavy boxes, he developed a crick in his back.
Verb:
- Be careful not to crick your neck when you look over your shoulder.
- She cricked her back while gardening.
Advanced Usage
- "To have a crick in one's neck/back": This is the most common collocation to describe the condition.
- I can't turn my head; I have a terrible crick in my neck.
Variants and Related Words
- Rick/Wrick (noun, chiefly British): A regional variant with the same meaning as "crick" (a painful muscle spasm).
- Cramp (noun/verb): A similar but often more intense and sustained involuntary muscle contraction.
- Stiffness (noun): A more general term for reduced mobility, which can be caused by a crick.
Synonyms
- Kink: Often used interchangeably with "crick" for a neck muscle spasm.
- Twinge: A sudden, sharp pain, which can be similar to the sensation of a crick.
- Strain: A more general term for an injury caused by overstretching a muscle.
Phrasal Verbs
(This word is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions.)
Related Idioms
(There are no common idioms specifically using the word "crick.")
Noun
- English biochemist who (with Watson in 1953) helped discover the helical structure of DNA (1916-2004)
- a painful muscle spasm especially in the neck or back (`rick' and `wrick' are British)
Verb
- twist (a body part) into a strained position
- crick your neck