spasmodic

English

WOTD – 22 July 2010

Etymology

From New Latin spasmodicus, from Ancient Greek σπασμώδης (spasmṓdēs, “spasmodic”), from σπασμός (spasmós, “spasm”).

Pronunciation

(UK) IPA^(key): /spæzˈmɒd.ɪk/
(US) IPA^(key): /spæzˈmɑ.dɪk/

Adjective

spasmodic (comparative more spasmodic, superlative most spasmodic)

Of or relating to a spasm; resembling a sudden contraction of the muscles.
Convulsive; consisting of spasms.
spasmodic asthma
Intermittent or fitful; occurring in abrupt bursts.
spasmodic zeal or industry
Erratic or unsustained.

Derived terms

spasmodically

Related terms

spasm

Translations

of or relating to a spasm

Catalan: espasmòdic
French: spasmodique (fr) m, f
Polish: spazmatyczny m

Russian: спазмати́ческий (ru) m (spazmatíčeskij), спазмоподо́бный m (spazmopodóbnyj)
Spanish: espasmódico

convulsive; consisting of spasms

Catalan: espasmòdic
Polish: konwulsyjny m

Russian: конвульсивный (ru) (konvulʹsivnyj)
Spanish: espasmódico

intermittent or fitful; occurring in short bursts

Maori: kōhikohiko, tāmutumutu, taratahi, kauteatea
Polish: przerywany m

Russian: прерывистый (ru) (preryvistyj)

erratic or unsustained

Polish: nieregularny (pl) m

Russian: нерегулярный (ru) (nereguljarnyj)

This article is issued from Wiktionary. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.