paroxysm

[ par-uhk-siz-uhm, puh-rok‐ ]
See synonyms for: paroxysmparoxysmal on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. any sudden, uncontrollable outburst; a fit of emotion or action: paroxysms of rage;a paroxysm of laughter;a paroxysm of coughing;The war unleashed a paroxysm of violence.

  2. Pathology. a severe attack or a sudden increase in intensity of a disease, usually recurring periodically.

Origin of paroxysm

1
First recorded in 1570–80; earlier paroxismos, from Greek paroxysmós “irritation,” derivative of paroxýnein “to irritate.” See par-, oxy-1, -ism

Other words from paroxysm

  • par·ox·ys·mal [par-uhk-siz-muhl, puh-rok‐] /ˌpær əkˈsɪz məl, pəˌrɒk‐/ par·ox·ys·mic [par-uhk-siz-mik, puh-rok‐] /ˌpær əkˈsɪz mɪk, pəˌrɒk‐/ adjective
  • hy·per·par·ox·ysm, noun

Words Nearby paroxysm

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use paroxysm in a sentence

  • The current global paroxysm is intense and alarming, but it is a tremor not an earthquake.

    Global Markets Spooked | Zachary Karabell | August 8, 2011 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • In a paroxysm of rage and fear, he gave the final order, and the Well of Cawnpore thereby attained its ghastly immortality.

    The Red Year | Louis Tracy
  • Pincher, who followed close at her heels, gave an ominous growl, and burst off into a fresh paroxysm of barking.

    The World Before Them | Susanna Moodie
  • When about eight years old, in a paroxysm of ferocious hate, she pushed her brother Charles into the Bievre, where he was drowned.

    Repertory Of The Comedie Humaine, Complete, A -- Z | Anatole Cerfberr and Jules Franois Christophe
  • I cry, in a paroxysm of sudden fear, pressing my hot lips upon her face.

    Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist | Alexander Berkman
  • Patients suffering from delirium tremens, for instance, may die suddenly in the midst of a paroxysm of excitement.

British Dictionary definitions for paroxysm

paroxysm

/ (ˈpærəkˌsɪzəm) /


noun
  1. an uncontrollable outburst: a paroxysm of giggling

  2. pathol

    • a sudden attack or recurrence of a disease

    • any fit or convulsion

Origin of paroxysm

1
C17: via French from Medieval Latin paroxysmus annoyance, from Greek paroxusmos, from paroxunein to goad, from para- 1 (intensifier) + oxunein to sharpen, from oxus sharp

Derived forms of paroxysm

  • paroxysmal or paroxysmic, adjective
  • paroxysmally, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012