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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-

paroxysm Related Forms

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

paroxysm Synonyms

paroxysm

n.

  1. Outburst

    passion, hysterics, outbreak, frenzy, furor, fury, violence, agitation, explosion, frothing, fuming, (berserk) fit; see also anger, excitement, rage 2.

    Antonyms peace*, tranquillity*, equanimity. *

  2. A fit

    attack, spasm, convulsion, seizure; see outbreak 1.

paroxysm Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • rage: His paroxysm of rage over, he went on his way without once looking back.
  • grief: The Rat, astonished and dismayed at the violence of Mole's paroxysm of grief, did not dare to speak for a while.
  • pain: Each emergency stop induced in Alex a paroxysm of pain.
  • fear: His limbs were convulsed and his fingers contorted as tho he had died in a very paroxysm of fear.
  • fury: His paroxysm of fury in the street contrasted oddly with his peaceable demeanor in the house.
  • ecstasy: What is this amazing line of work that drives me to such paroxysms of ecstasy?

Converse of object

have: During all of this Mrs McMuffin was having a paroxysm beside me.

Adjective modifier

  • occipital: Benign childhood epilepsy with occipital paroxysms: a 15-year prospective study.
  • such: Shaw: In your judgment, why does China have such paroxysms over the concept of human rights?
  • new: Each new paroxysm will bear a more severe and dangerous character.

Browse dictionary entries near paroxysm

  1. ‹ Parousia
  2. ‹ -parous
  3. ‹ parotitis
  4. ‹ parotid
  5. ‹ parotic
  6. ‹ Paros
  7. ‹ paronymous
  8. ‹ paronym
  9. ‹ paronomasia
  10. ‹ parolee
  1. paroxytone ›
  2. parquet ›
  3. parquet circle ›
  4. parquetry ›
  5. parr ›
  6. Parr-Davies, Harry ›
  7. Parra, Nicanor ›
  8. parrakeet ›
  9. parramatta ›
  10. parrel ›