clonic-spasm
Dictionary.com Unabridged
əm noun
1.
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)
2.
any sudden, brief spell of great energy, activity, feeling, etc.
Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English spasme < Latin spasmus < Greek spasmós convulsion, derivative of spân to draw a sword or cord, wrench (off), convulse
1350–1400; Middle English spasme < Latin spasmus < Greek spasmós convulsion, derivative of spân to draw a sword or cord, wrench (off), convulse
Synonyms
2. fit, storm, flash, spurt.
2. fit, storm, flash, spurt.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To clonic-spasm
00:10
Clonic-spasm
is always a great word to know.
So is bezoar. Does it mean:
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
| a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
spasm (ˈspæzəm) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | an involuntary muscular contraction, esp one resulting in cramp or convulsion |
| 2. | a sudden burst of activity, emotion, etc |
| [C14: from Latin spasmus, from Greek spasmos a cramp, from span to tear] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
spasm
c.1400, from O.Fr. spasme, from L. spasmus "a spasm," from Gk. spasmos "a spasm, convulsion," from span "draw up, tear away, contract violently, pull," from PIE *spe- "stretch." Fig. sense of "a sudden convulsion" (of emotion, politics, etc.) is attested from 1817. The verb is recorded from 1900.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
clonic spasm n.
Alternate involuntary contraction and relaxation of a muscle.
spasm (spāz'əm)
n.
A sudden involuntary contraction of a muscle or group of muscles.
A muscle spasm.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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