spastic

[ spas-tik ]

adjective

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

noun

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

spastic

/ spæsˈtɪsɪtɪ; ˈspæstɪk /

noun

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

adjective

1. affected by or resembling spasms
2. taboo.
   clumsy, incapable or incompetent

Sensitive Note

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

Derived Forms

• ˈspastically, adverb
• spasˈticity, noun

Other Words From

• spasti·cal·ly adverb
• spas·tic·i·ty [spa-, stis, -i-tee], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of spastic¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of spastic¹

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

Related Words

• aberrant
• anomalous
• atypical
• bizarre
• exceptional
• extraordinary
• irregular
• odd
• peculiar
• strange
• uncommon
• unexpected
• unnatural
• unusual
• weird