spastic
[ spas-tik ]
adjective
Pathology. pertaining to, of the nature of, or characterized by spasm, especially tonic spasm.
Slang: Offensive. awkward or clumsy.
noun
Pathology. a person exhibiting spasms.
Slang: Offensive. an awkward or clumsy person.
Origin of spastic
11745–55; <Latin spasticus afflicted with spasms <Greek spastikós of a spasm, equivalent to spas-, stem of spân to pull off, pluck, convulse + -tikos-tic
usage note For spastic
The slang use of spastic (or spaz ) to mean “clumsy” is perceived as insulting to people who are affected with muscular spasms.
Other words from spastic
- spas·ti·cal·ly, adverb
- spas·tic·i·ty [spa-stis-i-tee], /spæˈstɪs ɪ ti/, noun
Words Nearby spastic
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
British Dictionary definitions for spastic
spastic
/ (ˈspæstɪk, spæsˈtɪsɪtɪ) /
noun
an old-fashioned and now offensive name for a person who has cerebral palsy
taboo, slang a clumsy, incapable, or incompetent person
adjective
affected by or resembling spasms
taboo, slang clumsy, incapable or incompetent
Origin of spastic
1C18: from Latin spasticus, from Greek spastikos, from spasmos spasm
Derived forms of spastic
- spastically, adverb
- spasticity, noun See cerebral palsy
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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