hyperkinesia

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

/ ˌhaɪ pər kɪˈni ʒə, -ʒi ə, -zi ə, -kaɪ- /

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.

Nearby words

hyperkeratosis, hyperkeratosis lenticularis perstans, hyperketonemia, hyperketonuria, hyperkinemia, hyperkinesia, hyperkinetic syndrome, hyperlactation, hyperleukocytosis, hyperlink, hyperlipemia

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

Related forms

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. 2019

Examples from the Web for hyperkinetic

But given the hyperkinetic demands of the modern-day action movie, drastic measures are needed to weld hero and villain together.
John Travolta and the New OCD Villains|Tom Shone|June 11, 2009|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for hyperkinetic

hyperkinesia

hyperkinesis (ˌhaɪpəkɪˈniːsɪs, -kaɪ-)

/ (ˌhaɪpəkɪˈniːzɪə, -kaɪ-) /

noun pathol

excessive movement, as in a muscle spasm

extreme overactivity in children

Derived Forms

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

Medicine definitions for hyperkinetic

hyperkinesia

[ hī′pər-kə-nē′zhə, -kī- ]

n.

Pathologically increased muscular movement.

Hyperactivity, especially in children.

Related forms

hy′per•ki•net′ic (-nĕt′ĭk) adj.