First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
spasm
noun \ˈspa-zəm\
: a sudden uncontrolled and often painful tightening of a muscle
: a sudden and usually brief occurrence of something you cannot control
Full Definition of SPASM
1
: an involuntary and abnormal muscular contraction
2
: a sudden violent and temporary effort, emotion, or sensation <a spasm of creativity> <spasms of pain>
— spasm intransitive verb
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Origin of SPASM
Middle English spasme, from Anglo-French espasme, from Latin spasmus, from Greek spasmos, from span to draw, pull
Related to SPASM
- Synonyms
- charley horse, crick, kink, 1cramp
Rhymes with SPASM
SPASM Defined for Kids
spasm
noun \ˈspa-zəm\
Definition of SPASM for Kids
1
: a sudden uncontrolled and often painful tightening of muscles <back spasms>
2
: a sudden, strong, and temporary effort, emotion, or outburst <a spasm of coughing> <a spasm of guilt>
Medical Dictionary
spasm
noun \ˈspaz-əm\
Medical Definition of SPASM
1
: an involuntary and abnormal contraction of muscle or muscle fibers or of a hollow organ (as an artery, the colon, or the esophagus) that consists largely of involuntary muscle fibers
2
: the state or condition of a muscle or organ affected with spasms <the renal artery went into spasm>
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