spasm
[ spaz-uhm ]
/ ˈspæz əm /
noun
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).
any sudden, brief spell of great energy, activity, feeling, etc.
Origin of spasm
1350–1400; Middle English
spasme < Latin
spasmus < Greek
spasmós convulsion, derivative of
spân to draw a sword or cord, wrench (off), convulse
Words nearby spasm
spartanburg,
sparteine,
sparti,
spartiate,
sparver,
spasm,
spasm band,
spasmo-,
spasmodic,
spasmodic dysmenorrhea,
spasmodist
Example sentences from the Web for spasm
British Dictionary definitions for spasm
spasm
/ (ˈspæzəm) /
noun
an involuntary muscular contraction, esp one resulting in cramp or convulsion
a sudden burst of activity, emotion, etc
Word Origin for spasm
C14: from Latin
spasmus, from Greek
spasmos a cramp, from
span to tear
Medical definitions for spasm
spasm
[ spăz′əm ]
n.
A sudden involuntary contraction of a muscle or group of muscles.
A muscle spasm.