cramp

1
[ kramp ]
/ kræmp /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR cramp ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

Often cramps.
  1. a sudden, involuntary, spasmodic contraction of a muscle or group of muscles, especially of the extremities, sometimes with severe pain.
  2. a piercing pain in the abdomen.
  3. an intermittent, painful contraction of structures of a wall containing involuntary muscle, as in biliary colic or in the uterine contractions of menstruation or of labor.
writer's cramp.

verb (used with object)

to affect with or as if with a cramp.

Origin of cramp

1
1325–75; Middle English crampe < Old French < Germanic; cognate with Middle Dutch crampe, Old Saxon krampo, Old High German krampfo; derivative of adj. meaning narrow, constrained, bent; compare Old High German krampf, Old Norse krappr; akin to crimp1

Words nearby cramp

cram-full, crambo, cramer's rule, crammer, cramoisy, cramp, cramp ball, cramp iron, cramp someone's style, cramped, cramper

Definition for cramp (2 of 2)

cramp 2
[ kramp ]
/ kræmp /

noun

verb (used with object)

adjective

cramped2.

Origin of cramp

2
1375–1425; late Middle English crampe < Middle Dutch: hook. See cramp1

OTHER WORDS FROM cramp

cramp·ing·ly, adverb

Words related to cramp

pain, twinge, stiffness, ache, convulsion, contraction, constipation, constrain, shackle, clog, hamper, clasp, restriction, stitch, stricture, circumscription, kink, crick, obstruction, confinement

Example sentences from the Web for cramp

British Dictionary definitions for cramp (1 of 2)

cramp 1
/ (kræmp) /

noun

a painful involuntary contraction of a muscle, typically caused by overexertion, heat, or chill
temporary partial paralysis of a muscle group writer's cramp
(usually plural in the US and Canada) severe abdominal pain

verb

(tr) to affect with or as if with a cramp

Word Origin for cramp

C14: from Old French crampe, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German krampho

British Dictionary definitions for cramp (2 of 2)

cramp 2
/ (kræmp) /

noun

Also called: cramp iron a strip of metal with its ends bent at right angles, used to bind masonry
a device for holding pieces of wood while they are glued; clamp
something that confines or restricts
a confined state or position

verb (tr)

Word Origin for cramp

C15: from Middle Dutch crampe cramp, hook, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German khramph bent; see cramp 1

Medical definitions for cramp

cramp
[ krămp ]

n.

A sudden, involuntary, spasmodic muscular contraction causing severe pain, often occurring in the leg or shoulder as the result of strain or chill.
A temporary partial paralysis of habitually or excessively used muscles.
cramps Spasmodic contractions of the uterus, such as those occurring during menstruation or labor, usually causing pain in the abdomen that may radiate to the lower back and thighs.

v.

To affect with or experience a cramp or cramps.