Spasmodic
pertaining to or of the nature of a spasm; characterized by spasms.
resembling a spasm or spasms; sudden but brief; sporadic:
spasmodic efforts at reform.
given to or characterized by bursts of excitement.
Historical Examples
“You mean James,” cried his wife, with a spasmodic movement of her hand to her breast.
Blind Policy George Manville Fenn
It was an element of spasmodic conscience than he saw here, and it troubled him.
Malbone Thomas Wentworth Higginson
But we were coming down, gliding down on a long angle, with the engine giving a spasmodic kick.
The Sequel George A. Taylor
Shocked into spasmodic action, the American jumped from barrel to ratlines.
The Cruise of the Dry Dock T. S. Stribling
After Bunker Hill spasmodic declarations of independence were made here and there by local bodies.
Washington and his Comrades in Arms George Wrong
It was strange that he should have slept at all, for there had been spasmodic firing all night.
Changing Winds St. John G. Ervine
For the same operation it is sometimes employed in spasmodic disorders.
The Action of Medicines in the System Frederick William Headland
There was something ominous about the spasmodic and stertorous breathing.
Joan of Arc of the North Woods Holman Day
After which Mr Dorrit was seized with a doze for about a minute, out of which he sprang with spasmodic nimbleness.
Little Dorrit Charles Dickens
There is a brazen, barking, “croupy” cough in spasmodic croup.
The Mother and Her Child William S. Sadler
adjective
taking place in sudden brief spells
of or characterized by spasms
adj.
1681, from Medieval Latin spasmodicus, from Greek spasmodes “of the nature of a spasm,” from spasmos (see spasm) + -odes “like.”
spasmodic spas·mod·ic (spāz-mŏd’ĭk)
adj.
Relating to, affected by, or having the character of a spasm; convulsive.
Happening intermittently; fitful.
Given to sudden outbursts of energy or of feeling; excitable.
spas·mod’i·cal·ly adv.
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