spasmodic
Use Spasmodic in a sentence
ɪk adjective
1.
pertaining to or of the nature of a spasm; characterized by spasms.
2.
resembling a spasm or spasms; sudden but brief; sporadic: spasmodic efforts at reform.
3.
given to or characterized by bursts of excitement.
Also, spas·mod·i·cal.
Origin:
1675–85; < Medieval Latin spasmodicus < Greek spasmṓd(ēs) spasmodic (derivative of spasmós spasm; see -ode1) + Latin -icus -ic
1675–85; < Medieval Latin spasmodicus < Greek spasmṓd(ēs) spasmodic (derivative of spasmós spasm; see -ode1) + Latin -icus -ic
Related forms
spas·mod·i·cal·ly, adverb
an·ti·spas·mod·ic, adjective, noun
post·spas·mod·ic, adjective
un·spas·mod·ic, adjective
un·spas·mod·i·cal, adjective
Synonyms
2. occasional, intermittent, periodic, fleeting.
2. occasional, intermittent, periodic, fleeting.
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 spasmodic
00:10
Spasmodic
is always a great word to know.
So is flibbertigibbet. Does it mean:
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
| a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
spasmodic or spasmodical (spæzˈmɒdɪk) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | taking place in sudden brief spells |
| 2. | of or characterized by spasms |
| [C17: New Latin, from Greek spasmos | |
| spasmodical or spasmodical | |
| —adj | |
| [C17: New Latin, from Greek spasmos | |
| spas'modically or spasmodical | |
| —adv | |
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
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
spasmodic
1681, from M.L. spasmodicus, from Gk. spasmodes "of the nature of a spasm," from spasmos (see spasm) + -odes "like."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
spasmodic spas·mod·ic (spāz-mŏd'ĭk)
adj.
Relating to, affected by, or having the character of a spasm; convulsive.
Happening intermittently; fitful.
Given to sudden outbursts of energy or of feeling; excitable.
spas·mod'i·cal·ly adv.
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
Example sentences
Then she jumped around, modern and spasmodic, as if the whole point of dance were to leap free of your skin.
There was no spasmodic firing, there was no firing at nothing.
The music is helpful but the spasmodic sounds are quite unnecessary.
Sneeze: to make a sudden violent spasmodic audible expiration of breath through the nose and mouth, especially as a reflex act.
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