spasm

[spaz-uh m] /ˈspæz əm/
noun
1.
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)
2.
any sudden, brief spell of great energy, activity, feeling, etc.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English spasme < Latin spasmus < Greek spasmós convulsion, derivative of spân to draw a sword or cord, wrench (off), convulse
Synonyms
2. fit, storm, flash, spurt.
Examples from the web for spasm
  • Coronary artery spasm is a temporary constriction of an artery in the heart.
  • Whenever he was stuck in a meeting, he'd grip his pen and hold it down on a piece of paper, waiting for the spasm to kick in.
  • The spasm can slow or stop blood flow through the artery.
  • If you have peritonitis, touching the belly area may cause a spasm of the muscles.
  • Some people have muscle spasm and contractions in the tendons.
  • The muscle spasm and stiffness accompanying back pain can feel particularly uncomfortable.
  • Calcium blockers seem to be effective in preventing and relieving coronary artery spasm.
  • In an attempt to stabilize the vertebrae, my back muscles go into spasm several times a year, sending me into bed for days.
  • The next morning, the marriage comes apart in a spasm of mutual recrimination.
  • The fish came to my first cast, bending the bamboo rod into a smooth arc and sending a spasm of vibrations up my arm.
British Dictionary definitions for spasm

spasm

/ˈspæzəm/
noun
1.
an involuntary muscular contraction, esp one resulting in cramp or convulsion
2.
a sudden burst of activity, emotion, etc
Word Origin
C14: from Latin spasmus, from Greek spasmos a cramp, from span to tear
Word Origin and History for spasm
n.

c.1400, from Old French spasme, from Latin spasmus "a spasm," from Greek spasmos "a spasm, convulsion," from span "draw up, tear away, contract violently, pull," from PIE *spe- "stretch." Figurative sense of "a sudden convulsion" (of emotion, politics, etc.) is attested from 1817.

v.

1900, from spasm (n.). Related: Spasmed; spasming.

spasm in Medicine

spasm (spāz'əm)
n.

  1. A sudden involuntary contraction of a muscle or group of muscles.

  2. A muscle spasm.