spasmodic+effort
11Flashing light — Flash Flash, n.; pl. {Flashes}. 1. A sudden burst of light; a flood of light instantaneously appearing and disappearing; a momentary blaze; as, a flash of lightning. [1913 Webster] 2. A sudden and brilliant burst, as of wit or genius; a momentary …
12news flash — Flash Flash, n.; pl. {Flashes}. 1. A sudden burst of light; a flood of light instantaneously appearing and disappearing; a momentary blaze; as, a flash of lightning. [1913 Webster] 2. A sudden and brilliant burst, as of wit or genius; a momentary …
13Start — Start, n. 1. The act of starting; a sudden spring, leap, or motion, caused by surprise, fear, pain, or the like; any sudden motion, or beginning of motion. [1913 Webster] The fright awakened Arcite with a start. Dryden. [1913 Webster] 2. A… …
14To get the start — Start Start, n. 1. The act of starting; a sudden spring, leap, or motion, caused by surprise, fear, pain, or the like; any sudden motion, or beginning of motion. [1913 Webster] The fright awakened Arcite with a start. Dryden. [1913 Webster] 2. A… …
15To have the start — Start Start, n. 1. The act of starting; a sudden spring, leap, or motion, caused by surprise, fear, pain, or the like; any sudden motion, or beginning of motion. [1913 Webster] The fright awakened Arcite with a start. Dryden. [1913 Webster] 2. A… …
16flash in the pan — Etymology: from the firing of the priming in the pan of a flintlock musket without discharging the piece Date: 1706 1. a sudden spasmodic effort that accomplishes nothing 2. one that appears promising but turns out to be disappointing or… …
17start — I. v. n. 1. Shrink, flinch, wince, startle. 2. Depart, set out, set off. 3. Arise, come into existence suddenly. 4. Deviate, digress, differ. 5. Move suddenly, spring, startle. II. v. a. 1. Rouse, alarm, start …
18flash in the pan — noun someone who enjoys transient success but then fails • Hypernyms: ↑failure, ↑loser, ↑nonstarter, ↑unsuccessful person * * * 1. : the firing of the priming in the pan of a flintlock musket without discharging the piece 2 …
19fitful — fitful, spasmodic, convulsive are comparable when they mean lacking steadiness or regularity in course, movement, or succession (as of acts or efforts). Fitful stresses variability and intermittency; it implies an irregular succession… …
20Dystonia, laryngeal — A voice disorder, also called spasmodic dysphonia, caused by involuntary movements of one or more muscles of the larynx or voice box. People who have spasmodic dysphonia may have occasional difficulty saying a word or two or they may experience… …
