spastic

[ spas-tik ]
/ ˈspæs tɪk /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR spastic ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

Pathology. pertaining to, of the nature of, or characterized by spasm, especially tonic spasm.
Slang: Offensive. awkward or clumsy.

noun

Pathology. a person exhibiting spasms.
Slang: Offensive. an awkward or clumsy person.

Origin of spastic

1745–55; < Latin spasticus afflicted with spasms < Greek spastikós of a spasm, equivalent to spas-, stem of spân to pull off, pluck, convulse + -tikos -tic

usage note for spastic

The slang use of spastic (or spaz ) to mean “clumsy” is perceived as insulting to people who are affected with muscular spasms.

OTHER WORDS FROM spastic

spas·ti·cal·ly, adverb spas·tic·i·ty [spa-stis-i-tee] /spæˈstɪs ɪ ti/, noun

Words nearby spastic

spasmolytic, spasmophilia, spasmophilic, spasmus nutans, spassky, spastic, spastic abasia, spastic gait, spastic hemiplegia, spastic ileus, spastic paralysis

Words related to spastic

unusual, unexpected, irregular, exceptional, unnatural, atypical, anomalous, uncommon, peculiar, extraordinary, strange, weird, odd, aberrant, bizarre, periodic, spotty, desultory, intermittent, debilitated

British Dictionary definitions for spastic

spastic
/ (ˈspæstɪk, spæsˈtɪsɪtɪ) /

noun

an old-fashioned and now offensive name for a person who has cerebral palsy
taboo, slang a clumsy, incapable, or incompetent person

adjective

affected by or resembling spasms
taboo, slang clumsy, incapable or incompetent

Derived forms of spastic

spastically, adverb spasticity, noun See cerebral palsy

Word Origin for spastic

C18: from Latin spasticus, from Greek spastikos, from spasmos spasm

Medical definitions for spastic

spastic
[ spăs′tĭk ]

adj.

Relating to or affected by spasm.
Relating to spastic paralysis.