spasmodic
nounEtymology From New Latin spasmōdicus, from Ancient Greek σπασμώδης (spasmṓdēs, “spasmodic”), from σπασμός (spasmós, “spasm”).
1
A medicine for suppressing spasms.
spasmodic
adjUK /spæzˈmɒd.ɪk/ · US /spæzˈmɑ.dɪk/
Etymology From New Latin spasmōdicus, from Ancient Greek σπασμώδης (spasmṓdēs, “spasmodic”), from σπασμός (spasmós, “spasm”).
1
Of or relating to a spasm; resembling a sudden contraction of the muscles.
2
Convulsive; consisting of spasms.
- spasmodic asthma
- […] 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.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:
1 more example
- Kennedy’s vocal rasp is not caused by an infection or respiratory condition. Instead, he has spasmodic dysphonia, a rare neurological condition in which the muscles that open and close his vocal cords spasm involuntarily, creating a strained or strangled quality to his speech.2025 January 29, Sandee LaMotte, “A rare brain disorder robbed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of his strong speaking voice”, in CNN:
3
Intermittent or fitful; occurring in abrupt bursts.
- spasmodic zeal or industry
- The chin was heavy, the nostrils were low and wide, and the lower lip hung loosely except in his moments of spasmodic earnestness, when it shut like a steel trap.1900 April, Willa Cather, “Eric Hermannson's Soul”, in Cosmopolitan:
4
Erratic or unsustained.
5
Of or relating to the spasmodic poets, a group of British Victorian poets who wrote introspective drama in verse.
- Derived terms
- nonspasmodic, postspasmodic, spasmodically, spasmodicity, spasmodicness, spasmodism, spasmodist