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

Example Sentences

Knowing how these molecular machines work may be key to understanding and treating motoneuron diseases such as multiple sclerosis and spastic paraplegia.

From Science Daily

We witnessed it early in 2015 when Trump, on video, mocked a disabled reporter by flailing his arms in spastic motions and moaning.

From Salon

She said her husband, who has spastic cerebral palsy and who uses a motorised wheelchair, was not offered any help by Air Canada crew to get off the plane.

From BBC

However, Popert, who was born with a form of cerebral palsy called spastic diplegia, bogeyed the eighth and Lawlor birdied the 10th to leave them tied on two over par.

From BBC

The most common type is spastic diplegia, which Diviney is diagnosed with.

From Reuters

Related Words

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