ひきつる

Also written 引きつる, 引き攣る

Meanings

1. Godan verb, Intransitive to have a cramp; to twitch; to spasm
2. to stiffen (of a face, expression); to freeze; to grow tight (e.g. of a voice)
3. to shrink (of skin, due to a scar); to tauten

Example sentences

• 顔がひきつります。
  My face twitches.
• ジョンの顔は引きつっていた。
  John's face was drawn.

Jinuma: Japanese Dictionary · Word lists