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hyperkinesia

[ hahy-per-ki-nee-zhuh, -zhee-uh, -zee-uh, -kahy- ]
/ ˌhaɪ pər kɪˈni ʒə, -ʒi ə, -zi ə, -kaɪ- /
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noun
Pathology. an abnormal amount of uncontrolled muscular action; spasm.
Psychiatry. a disorder occurring in children and adolescents, characterized by excessive activity, extreme restlessness, impulsivity, and a short attention span.
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Also hy·per·ki·ne·sis [hahy-per-ki-nee-sis, -kahy-]. /ˌhaɪ pər kɪˈni sɪs, -kaɪ-/.

Origin of hyperkinesia

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

OTHER WORDS FROM hyperkinesia

hy·per·ki·net·ic [hahy-per-ki-net-ik, -kahy-], /ˌhaɪ pər kɪˈnɛt ɪk, -kaɪ-/, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use hyperkinesia in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for hyperkinesia

hyperkinesia

hyperkinesis (ˌhaɪpəkɪˈniːsɪs, -kaɪ-)

/ (ˌhaɪpəkɪˈniːzɪə, -kaɪ-) /
noun pathol
excessive movement, as in a muscle spasm
extreme overactivity in children

Derived forms of hyperkinesia

hyperkinetic (ˌhaɪpəkɪˈnɛtɪk, -kaɪ-), adjective

Word Origin for hyperkinesia

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