spasmodic
English
Etymology
From (deprecated template usage) [etyl] New Latin spasmodicus, from (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Ancient Greek σπασμώδης (spasmṓdēs, “spasmodic”), from σπασμός (spasmós, “spasm”).
Pronunciation
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "UK" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /spæzˈmɒd.ɪk/
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "US" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /spæzˈmɑ.dɪk/
Audio (AU): (file)
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.
- spasmodic asthma
- 1734, T[homas] K[night], A Critical Dissertation upon the Manner of the Preparation of Mercurial Medicines, and Their Operation on Human Bodies; particularly Those Most in Fashion: […], London: Printed for Harmen Noorthouck […], →OCLC, page 52:
- […] Dr. Francis Fuller, […] upon wearing a Quick-ſilver Girdle, for the Cure of the Itch, (and that after an inconſiderate and raſh manner) was brought under a violent Spaſmodick Diſtemper, which was ſupposed by himſelf and others to be owing to ſome Mercurial Particles lodg'd in ſome excretory Ducts of the Brain.
- Intermittent or fitful; occurring in abrupt bursts.
- Synonyms: patchy, stop-start; see also Thesaurus:discontinuous
- spasmodic zeal or industry
- Erratic or unsustained.
- Of or relating to the spasmodic poets, a group of British Victorian poets who wrote introspective drama in verse.
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations
of or relating to a spasm
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convulsive; consisting of spasms
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intermittent or fitful; occurring in short bursts
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erratic or unsustained
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Noun
spasmodic (plural spasmodics)
- A medicine for suppressing spasms.
- Synonym: antispasmodic