spasm

CEFRC1

/ˈspæz.m̩/

noun · verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    A sudden involuntary movement or tightening of a muscle.

  2. 02

    noun

    Extra detail

    A sudden and temporary burst of energy, activity, or emotion.

Examples

  • A spasm, violent and uncontrollable, stiffened every muscle in his body.

  • I feel a sort of spasm in my left leg.

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2
Citations
2

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

  1. A violent, excruciating seizure of pain.

  2. A sudden, involuntary contraction of a muscle, a group of muscles, or a hollow organ.

verb

Extra meaning

  1. To produce and undergo a spasm or series of spasms.

More examples

In context

  • Jessica went into spasms after eating a peanut.

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The patient experienced a painful muscle blank in his back after lifting the heavy box.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

From Middle English spasme, from Old French spasme, from Latin spasmus, from Ancient Greek σπασμός (spasmós, “spasm, convulsion”), from σπάω (spáō, “to draw out, pull out”).