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hyperkinesia

[hahy-per-ki-nee-zhuh, -zhee-uh, -zee-uh, -kahy-]
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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.
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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
Related formshy·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. 2018

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British Dictionary definitions for hyperkinetic

hyperkinesia

hyperkinesis (ˌhaɪpəkɪˈniːsɪs, -kaɪ-)

noun pathol
  1. excessive movement, as in a muscle spasm
  2. extreme overactivity in children
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Derived Formshyperkinetic (ˌhaɪpəkɪˈnɛtɪk, -kaɪ-), adjective

Word Origin

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

Word Origin and History for hyperkinetic

adj.

1880, from hyper- + kinetic. Perhaps immediately from French hyperkinetic (1874). Related: Hyperkinesis.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
hyperkinetic in Medicine

hyperkinesia

(hī′pər-kə-nē′zhə, -kī-)
n.
  1. Pathologically increased muscular movement.
  2. Hyperactivity, especially in children.
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Related formshy′per•ki•net′ic (-nĕt′ĭk) adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.