English Explanatory Dictionary

spasm

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A sudden, involuntary contraction of a muscle, a group of muscles, or a hollow organ.
  2. A violent, excruciating seizure of pain.
  3. A sudden and temporary burst of energy, activity, or emotion.
verb
  1. To produce and undergo a spasm or series of spasms.

Pronunciation

/ˈspæz.m̩/ en-us-spasm.ogg

Word forms

spasm spasms spasming spasmed

Etymology

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”).

Related words

spasmodic spastic

Derived words

angiospasm arteriospasm blepharospasm bronchospasm cadaveric spasm cardiospasm cheirospasm colpospasm cystospasm dactylospasm enterospasm esophagospasm gastrospasm geniospasm graphospasm hemispasm laryngospasm myospasm neurospasm ophthalmospasm pharyngospasm phrenospasm pylorospasm spasm band spasmic spasmogen spasmogenic spasmoid spasmology spasmolysis spasmophilia spasm war vasospasm xyrospasm
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