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Definition of paroxysm - 6 dictionary results
par⋅ox⋅ysm
[par-uh
k-siz-uhm] 
–noun
| 1. | any sudden, violent outburst; a fit of violent action or emotion: paroxysms of rage. |
| 2. | Pathology. a severe attack or a sudden increase in intensity of a disease, usually recurring periodically. |
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To paroxysm
| par·ox·ysm (pār'ək-sĭz'əm) n.
[Middle English paroxism, periodic attack of a disease, from Medieval Latin paroxysmus, from Greek paroxusmos, from paroxūnein, to stimulate, irritate : para-, intensive pref.; see para-1 + oxūnein, to goad, sharpen (from oxus, sharp; see ak- in Indo-European roots).] par'ox·ys'mal (-ək-sĭz'məl) adj., par'ox·ys'mal·ly adv. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Paroxysm
Par"ox*ysm\, n. [F. paroxysme, Gr. ?, fr. ? to sharpen, irritate; ? beside, beyond + ? to sharpen, from ? sharp.]1. (Med.) The fit, attack, or exacerbation, of a disease that occurs at intervals, or has decided remissions or intermissions. --Arbuthnot. 2. Any sudden and violent emotion; spasmodic passion or action; a convulsion; a fit. The returning paroxysms of diffidence and despair. --South.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : paroxysm
Spanish:
paroxismo,
German:
der Anfall,
Japanese:
激発
paroxysm
"sudden attack, convulsion," 1577, from M.Fr. paroxysme (16c.), earlier paroxime (13c.), from M.L. paroxysmus "irritation, fit of a disease," from Gk. paroxysmos, from paroxynein "to irritate, goad," from para- "beyond" + oxynein "sharpen, goad," from oxys "sharp, pointed" (see acrid). Non-medical sense first attested 1604.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Main Entry: par·ox·ysm
Pronunciation: 'par-&k-"siz-&m also p&-'räk-
Function: noun
1 : a sudden attack or spasm(as of a disease)
2 : a sudden recurrence of symptoms or an intensification of existing symptoms
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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paroxysm par·ox·ysm (pār'ək-sĭz'əm)
n.
- A sharp spasm or fit; a convulsion.
- A sudden onset of a symptom or disease, especially one with recurrent manifestations, such as the chills and fever of malaria.
par'ox·ys'mal (-ək-sĭz'məl) adj.
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.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2009, Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
