paroxysm

[ par-uh k-siz-uh m ]
/ ˈpær əkˌsɪz əm /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR paroxysm ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

any sudden, violent outburst; a fit of violent action or emotion: paroxysms of rage.
Pathology. a severe attack or a sudden increase in intensity of a disease, usually recurring periodically.

Origin of paroxysm

1570–80; earlier paroxismos < Greek paroxysmós irritation, derivative of paroxýnein to irritate. See par-, oxy-1, -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM paroxysm

Words nearby paroxysm

parotoid, parous, parousia, parovarium, paroxetine, paroxysm, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, paroxysmal tachycardia, paroxysmal trepidant abasia, paroxytone

Words related to paroxysm

flare-up, convulsion, explosion, fit, agitation, fury, frenzy, violence, eruption, excitement, attack, rage, passion, furor, anger, outbreak, outburst, hysterics, frothing, fuming

Example sentences from the Web for paroxysm

British Dictionary definitions for paroxysm

paroxysm
/ (ˈpærəkˌsɪzəm) /

noun

an uncontrollable outburst a paroxysm of giggling
pathol
  1. a sudden attack or recurrence of a disease
  2. any fit or convulsion

Derived forms of paroxysm

paroxysmal or paroxysmic, adjective paroxysmally, adverb

Word Origin for paroxysm

C17: via French from Medieval Latin paroxysmus annoyance, from Greek paroxusmos, from paroxunein to goad, from para- 1 (intensifier) + oxunein to sharpen, from oxus sharp

Medical definitions for paroxysm

paroxysm
[ păr′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.

Other words from paroxysm

par′ox•ys′mal (-ək-sĭz′məl) adj.