Definition

1. 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.

2. 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

1. English biochemist who (with Watson in 1953) helped discover the helical structure of DNA (1916-2004)
2. a painful muscle spasm especially in the neck or back (`rick' and `wrick' are British)

Verb

1. twist (a body part) into a strained position
   • crick your neck