spasm
English edit
Etymology edit
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”).
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
spasm (plural spasms)
- A sudden, involuntary contraction of a muscle, a group of muscles, or a hollow organ.
- Jessica went into spasms after eating a peanut.
- A violent, excruciating seizure of pain.
- 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.
Derived terms edit
Related terms edit
Translations edit
contraction of a muscle
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a violent, excruciating seizure of pain
a sudden and temporary burst of energy, activity, or emotion
Verb edit
spasm (third-person singular simple present spasms, present participle spasming, simple past and past participle spasmed)
- To produce and undergo a spasm or series of spasms.
Translations edit
to produce a sudden spasm or uncontrolled movement of the muscles
Anagrams edit
Romanian edit
Etymology edit
Noun edit
spasm n (plural spasme)
Declension edit
Swedish edit
Etymology edit
From Old French spasme, from Latin spasmus, from Ancient Greek σπασμός (spasmós).
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
spasm c
Declension edit
Declension of spasm | ||||
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Singular | Plural | |||
Indefinite | Definite | Indefinite | Definite | |
Nominative | spasm | spasmen | spasmer | spasmerna |
Genitive | spasms | spasmens | spasmers | spasmernas |