spasm

[ spaz-uhm ]

See synonyms for spasm on Thesaurus.com

noun

Pathology. a sudden, abnormal, involuntary muscular contraction, consisting of a continued muscular contraction (tonic spasm ) or of a series of alternating muscular contractions and relaxations (clonic spasm ).
any sudden, brief spell of great energy, activity, feeling, etc.

verb (used without object)

to undergo a spasm or spasms: Her eyesight had changed, and tests showed the muscles that allow the eye to focus were spasming.

Origin of spasm

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English spasme, spasom, from Old French (e)spasme and Latin spasmus, from Greek spasmós “convulsion,” derivative of spân “to draw (a sword), pull out, tear out, suck in, slurp down”

Other words for spasm

2	fit, storm, flash, spurt

See synonyms for spasm on Thesaurus.com

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

How to use spasm in a sentence

It's a terrifying disease, characterized by spasms and sometimes followed by fatal bleeding from the nose and mouth.
Whole Foods Wants to Feed You Cute, Furry Bunnies | Tim Mak | August 19, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Warning: NSFW in places where facial spasms and eye moistness could be hazardous.
Move Over, Ladies: Dove Does Dads | Andy Hinds | June 17, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
And the spasms of Republican recrimination have been profoundly ahistorical.
Obama’s All Eisenhower On Russia | Robert Shrum | March 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Instead of effective opposition, we see those doomed spasms.
Here Comes the Shutdown: Three Reasons It Will Hurt the GOP | David Frum | September 28, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
But acquiescing to that pessimism means acquiescing to new spasms of terrible violence.
The Conversation Israel and Palestine Needs to Have | Peter Beinart, Alan M. Dershowitz | December 3, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST

Bits of paper blew aimlessly about, wafted by a little, feverish breeze, which rose in spasms and died away.
Bella Donna | Robert Hichens
Uttering these words, the good lady pointed distractedly to the cupboard, and underwent a convulsion from internal spasms.
Oliver Twist, Vol. II (of 3) | Charles Dickens
It would come over her in spasms, and Thyrsis could feel her body quiver; it would be all he could do to hold her.
Love's Pilgrimage | Upton Sinclair
The symptoms of poisoning by this species are spasms, similar to those of trismus, and agonizing general pains.
Average Jones | Samuel Hopkins Adams
His words struggled out in the intervals of his spasms of laughter.
The Rose of Old St. Louis | Mary Dillon

British Dictionary definitions for spasm

spasm

/ (ˈspæzəm) /

noun

an involuntary muscular contraction, esp one resulting in cramp or convulsion
a sudden burst of activity, emotion, etc

Origin of spasm

C14: from Latin spasmus, from Greek spasmos a cramp, from span to tear

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

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