spasm
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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 spasm
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
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
00:10
Spasm
is always a great word to know.
So is quincunx. Does it mean:
| a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc. |
| an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle. |
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
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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Example sentences
The muscle spasm and stiffness accompanying back pain can feel particularly uncomfortable.
Asthma occurs when airways in the lungs spasm and swell, restricting the supply of oxygen.
The spasm can slow or stop blood flow through the artery.
In an attempt to stabilize the vertebrae, my back muscles go into spasm several times a year, sending me into bed for days.
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