hyperkinesia

[ hahy-per-ki-nee-zhuh, -zhee-uh, -zee-uh, -kahy- ]

noun
  1. Pathology. an abnormal amount of uncontrolled muscular action; spasm.

  2. Psychiatry. a disorder occurring in children and adolescents, characterized by excessive activity, extreme restlessness, impulsivity, and a short attention span.

Origin of hyperkinesia

1
First recorded in 1840–50; hyper- + -kinesia
  • Also hy·per·ki·ne·sis [hahy-per-ki-nee-sis, -kahy-]. /ˌhaɪ pər kɪˈni sɪs, -kaɪ-/.

Other words from hyperkinesia

  • hy·per·ki·net·ic [hahy-per-ki-net-ik, -kahy-], /ˌhaɪ pər kɪˈnɛt ɪk, -kaɪ-/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for hyperkinesia

hyperkinesia

hyperkinesis (ˌhaɪpəkɪˈniːsɪs, -kaɪ-)

/ (ˌhaɪpəkɪˈniːzɪə, -kaɪ-) /


nounpathol
  1. excessive movement, as in a muscle spasm

  2. extreme overactivity in children

Origin of hyperkinesia

1
C20: from hyper- + -kinesia from Greek kinēsis movement, from kinein to move

Derived forms of hyperkinesia

  • hyperkinetic (ˌhaɪpəkɪˈnɛtɪk, -kaɪ-), adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012