SPASMODIC

fitful, spasmodic

(adjective) occurring in spells and often abruptly; “fitful bursts of energy”; “spasmodic rifle fire”

convulsive, spasmodic, spastic

(adjective) affected by involuntary jerky muscular contractions; resembling a spasm; “convulsive motions”; “his body made a spasmodic jerk”; “spastic movements”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Adjective

spasmodic (comparative more spasmodic, superlative most spasmodic)

Of or relating to a spasm; resembling a sudden contraction of the muscles.

Convulsive; consisting of spasms.

Intermittent or fitful; occurring in abrupt bursts.

Synonyms: patchy, stop-start, Thesaurus:discontinuous

Erratic or unsustained.

Of or relating to the spasmodic poets, a group of British Victorian poets who wrote introspective drama in verse.

Noun

spasmodic (plural spasmodics)

A medicine for suppressing spasms.

Synonym: antispasmodic

Source: Wiktionary


Spas"mod"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. spasmotique.]

1. (Med.)

Definition: Of or pertaining to spasm; consisting in spasm; occuring in, or characterized by, spasms; as, a spasmodic asthma.

2. Soon relaxed or exhausted; convulsive; intermittent; as, spasmodic zeal or industry. Spasmodic croup (Med.), an affection of childhood characterized by a stoppage of brathing developed suddenly and without fever, and produced by spasmodic contraction of the vocal cords. It is sometimes fatal. Called also laryngismus stridulus, and childcrowing.

– Spasmodic stricture, a stricture caused by muscular spasm without structural change. See Organic stricture, under Organic.

Spas*mod"ic, n. (Med.)

Definition: A medicine for spasm.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

30 April 2025

SCOMBROID

(noun) important marine food and game fishes found in all tropical and temperate seas; some are at least partially endothermic and can thrive in colder waters


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