hyperkinesia

[ hahy-per-ki-nee-zhuh, -zhee-uh, -zee-uh, -kahy- ]

noun

1. Pathology. an abnormal amount of uncontrolled muscular action; spasm.
2. Psychiatry. a disorder occurring in children and adolescents, characterized by excessive activity, extreme restlessness, impulsivity, and a short attention span.

hyperkinesia

/ ˌhaɪpəkɪˈniːzɪə; -kaɪ-; -kaɪ-; ˌhaɪpəkɪˈnɛtɪk; ˌhaɪpəkɪˈniːsɪs; -kaɪ- /

noun

1. excessive movement, as in a muscle spasm
2. extreme overactivity in children

Derived Forms

• hyperkinetic, adjective

Other Words From

• hy·per·ki·net·ic [hahy-per-ki-, net, -ik, -kahy-], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hyperkinesia¹

First recorded in 1840–50; hyper- + -kinesia

Word History and Origins

Origin of hyperkinesia¹

C20: from hyper- + -kinesia from Greek kinēsis movement, from kinein to move