paroxysm

American  

[par-uhk-siz-uhm, puh-rok‐] / ˈpær əkˌsɪz əm, pəˈrɒk‐ /

noun

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

   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.

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paroxysm British  

/ ˈpærəkˌsɪzəm /

noun

1. an uncontrollable outburst

   a paroxysm of giggling

2. pathol

   1. a sudden attack or recurrence of a disease

   2. any fit or convulsion

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Other Word Forms

• hyperparoxysm noun
• paroxysmal adjective
• paroxysmally adverb
• paroxysmic adjective

Etymology

Origin of paroxysm

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

Example Sentences

Be ready to bend short-term volatility paroxysms to express long-term investment themes.

From Barron's

Be ready to bend short-term volatility paroxysms to express long-term investment themes.

From Barron's

And yes, in a paroxysm of pettiness, he renamed Mt.

From Salon

Proving that such paroxysms can descend on anyone at any time and anywhere, the 31-year-old recalls being in Hawaii when it hit her.

From Salon

I like to think that’s how everyone reacts when they initially see Delon, whose beauty has long inspired paroxysms of rapture.

From New York Times

Related Words

• convulsion
• flare-up