spasm

[ spaz-uhm ]

noun

1. 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.
2. any sudden, brief spell of great energy, activity, feeling, etc.

   Synonyms: spurt, flash, storm, fit

verb (used without object)

1. to undergo a spasm or spasms:

   Her eyesight had changed, and tests showed the muscles that allow the eye to focus were spasming.

spasm

/ ˈspæzəm /

noun

1. an involuntary muscular contraction, esp one resulting in cramp or convulsion
2. a sudden burst of activity, emotion, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of spasm¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English spasme, spasom, from Old French (e)spasme and Latin spasmus, from Greek spasmós “convulsion,” derivative of spân “to draw (a sword), pull out, tear out, suck in, slurp down”

Word History and Origins

Origin of spasm¹

C14: from Latin spasmus, from Greek spasmos a cramp, from span to tear

Example Sentences

While some warn that Trump’s election will result in a spasm of street protests and violence that will allow him to invoke the Insurrection Act and crack skulls as he has long mused about doing, the bigger risk might be an immediate drift into grim resignation.

From Slate

But amid a national spasm of grief, neither Netanyahu nor Hamas gave the slightest public hint that any movement was in the offing.

From Los Angeles Times

Codeine, morphine, gabapentin and pregabalin are often used in the treatment of nerve pain while diazepam is used for muscle spasm.

From BBC

SPS is a rare neurological disorder that causes muscles to spasm and can be debilitating.

From BBC

The syndrome is a neurological condition that causes muscles to spasm.

From BBC

Related Words

• contraction
• convulsion
• eruption
• outburst
• pain
• paroxysm
• seizure