spasm

From Middle English spasme, from Old French spasme, from Latin spasmus, from Ancient Greek σπασμός (spasmós, “spasm, convulsion”), from σπάω (spáō, “to draw out, pull out”).

• IPA^(key): /ˈspæz.əm/

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• Rhymes: -æzəm

spasm (plural spasms)

1. A sudden, involuntary contraction of a muscle, a group of muscles, or a hollow organ.

   Jessica went into spasms after eating a peanut.

2. A violent, excruciating seizure of pain.
3. A sudden and temporary burst of energy, activity, or emotion.
   • 1861, Anthony Trollope, Framley Parsonage:

     He would use the simplest, plainest language, he said to himself over and over again; but it is not always easy to use simple, plain language,—by no means so easy as to mount on stilts, and to march along with sesquipedalian words, with pathos, spasms, and notes of interjection.

   • 1981 April 11, Mitzel, “Kopacz Acquitted In Barbre Killing”, in Gay Community News, page 1:

     Both Spear & Davis were indicted in the witchhunt surrounding the sensational (if nonexistent) "Revere sex ring." Both men have said they have been police targets since at least 1975, following the anti-gay spasm which ensued after Dick Bavely's suicide.

• spasmodic
• spastic

spasm (third-person singular simple present spasms, present participle spasming, simple past and past participle spasmed)

1. To produce and undergo a spasm or series of spasms.

• samps, spams

Borrowed from French spasme.

spasm n (plural spasme)

1. spasm

From Old French spasme, from Latin spasmus, from Ancient Greek σπασμός (spasmós).

• IPA^(key): /ˈspasm/, [ˈspasːm]

spasm c

1. spasm

• spasm in Svenska Akademiens ordbok (SAOB)