spasmodic

spasmodic
spasmodically, adv.
/spaz mod"ik/, adj.
1. pertaining to or of the nature of a spasm; characterized by spasms.
2. resembling a spasm or spasms; sudden but brief; sporadic: spasmodic efforts at reform.
3. given to or characterized by bursts of excitement.
Also, spasmodical.
[1675-85; < ML spasmodicus < Gk spasmód(es) spasmodic (deriv. of spasmós SPASM; see -ODE1) + L -icus -IC]
Syn. 2. occasional, intermittent, periodic, fleeting.

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  • Spasmodic — Spas mod ic, a. [Gr. ?; ? a convulsion + ? likeness: cf. F. spasmotique.] 1. (Med.) Of or pertaining to spasm; consisting in spasm; occuring in, or characterized by, spasms; as, a spasmodic asthma. [1913 Webster] 2. Soon relaxed or exhausted;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • spasmodic — SPASMÓDIC, Ă, spasmodici, ce, adj. Privitor la spasm, specific spasmului; care se manifestă prin spasme, însoţit de spasme; spastic. – Din fr. spasmodique. Trimis de dante, 25.07.2004. Sursa: DEX 98  SPASMÓDIC adj. (med.) convulsiv, spastic.… …   Dicționar Român

  • Spasmodic — Spas*mod ic, n. (Med.) A medicine for spasm. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • spasmodic — index broken (interrupted), desultory, disjointed, disjunctive (tending to disjoin), intermittent, periodic, sporadic …   Law dictionary

  • spasmodic — (adj.) 1681, from M.L. spasmodicus, from Gk. spasmodes of the nature of a spasm, from spasmos (see SPASM (Cf. spasm)) + odes like …   Etymology dictionary

  • spasmodic — *fitful, convulsive Analogous words: *intermittent, alternate, recurrent, periodic: *irregular, unnatural: *abnormal, aberrant, atypical Contrasted words: *steady, even, constant, equable, uniform: regular, methodical, * …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • spasmodic — [adj] twitching, erratic bits and pieces*, changeable, choppy, convulsive, desultory, fitful, fits and starts*, intermittent, irregular, jerky, on again off again*, periodic, shaky, spastic, sporadic, spotty, spurtive, uncertain; concepts 482,530 …   New thesaurus

  • spasmodic — ► ADJECTIVE 1) occurring or done in brief, irregular bursts. 2) of or caused by a spasm or spasms. DERIVATIVES spasmodically adverb …   English terms dictionary

  • spasmodic — [spaz mäd′ik] adj. [ModL spasmodicus < Gr spasm̄odēs < spasmos: see SPASM & OID] 1. of, having the nature of, like, or characterized by a spasm or spasms; sudden, violent, and temporary; fitful; intermittent 2. Rare highly emotional or… …   English World dictionary

  • spasmodic — [[t]spæzmɒ̱dɪk[/t]] ADJ GRADED Something that is spasmodic happens suddenly, for short periods of time, and at irregular intervals. He managed to stifle the spasmodic sobs of panic rising in his throat... My husband s work was so spasmodic. Syn:… …   English dictionary

  • spasmodic — adj. 1 of, caused by, or subject to, a spasm or spasms (a spasmodic jerk; spasmodic asthma). 2 occurring or done by fits and starts (spasmodic efforts). Derivatives: spasmodically adv. Etymology: mod.L spasmodicus f. Gk spasmodes (as SPASM) …   Useful english dictionary

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