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spasm
[ spaz-uhm ]
/ ËspĂŠz Ém /
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noun
Pathology. a sudden, abnormal, involuntary muscular contraction, consisting of a continued muscular contraction (tonic spasm ) or of a series of alternating muscular contractions and relaxations (clonic spasm ).
any sudden, brief spell of great energy, activity, feeling, etc.
verb (used without object)
to undergo a spasm or spasms: Her eyesight had changed, and tests showed the muscles that allow the eye to focus were spasming.
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Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
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In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known asâŠ
Origin of spasm
First recorded in 1350â1400; Middle English spasme, spasom, from Old French (e)spasme and Latin spasmus, from Greek spasmĂłs âconvulsion,â derivative of spĂąn âto draw (a sword), pull out, tear out, suck in, slurp downâ
Words nearby spasm
Sparti, Spartiate, spar varnish, sparver, spar with, spasm, spasm band, spasmodic, spasmodically, spasmodist, spasmolysis
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use spasm in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for spasm
spasm
/ (ËspĂŠzÉm) /
noun
an involuntary muscular contraction, esp one resulting in cramp or convulsion
a sudden burst of activity, emotion, etc
Word Origin for spasm
C14: from Latin spasmus, from Greek spasmos a cramp, from span to tear
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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