paroxysm Hear it!

paroxysm definition

par·ox·ysm (par′ək siz′əm)

noun

  1. a sudden attack, or intensification of the symptoms, of a disease, usually recurring periodically
  2. a sudden outburst as of laughter, rage, or sneezing; fit; spasm

Etymology: Fr paroxysme < ML paroxysmus < Gr paroxysmos < paroxynein, to excite, sharpen < para-, beyond (see para-) + oxynein, to sharpen < oxys, sharp: see oxy-

Related Forms:

  • paroxysmal par′·oxys′·mal (par′ək siz′m'l) adjective

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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