paroxysm

 

par·ox·ysm  (prk-szm) 

n. 

1. A sudden outburst of emotion or action: a paroxysm of laughter.

2. 

a. A sudden attack, recurrence, or intensification of a disease.

b. A spasm or fit; a convulsion.

 

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[Middle English paroxism, periodic attack of a disease, from Medieval Latin paroxysmus, from Greek paroxusmos, from paroxnein, to stimulate, irritate : para-, intensive pref.; see para-¹ + oxnein, to goad, sharpen (from oxus, sharp; see ak- in Indo-European roots).]

 

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parox·ysmal (-k-szml) adj.

parox·ysmal·ly adv.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

 

parox·ysmal (-k-szml) adj.

parox·ysmal·ly adv.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Noun 1. paroxysm – a sudden uncontrollable attack; “a paroxysm of giggling”; “a fit of coughing”; “convulsions of laughter”

convulsion, fit

attack – a sudden occurrence of an uncontrollable condition; “an attack of diarrhea”

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2008 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.