jactitation

noun jac·ti·ta·tion \ˌjak-tə-ˈtā-shən\

Definition of JACTITATION

: a tossing to and fro or jerking and twitching of the body

Late Latin jactitation-, jactitatio, from jactitare, frequentative of Latin jactare to throw — more at jet

First Known Use: 1665

Medical Dictionary

noun jac·ti·ta·tion \ˌjak-tə-ˈtā-shən\

: a tossing to and fro or jerking and twitching of the body or its parts : excessive restlessness especially in certain psychiatric disorders

—jac·ti·tate \ˈjak-tə-ˌtāt\ transitive verb, jac·ti·tat·ed jac·ti·tat·ing

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