spasm

n. [ F. spasme, L. spasmus, Gr. &unr_;, from &unr_;, &unr_;, to draw, to cause convulsion. Cf. Span, v. t. ] 1. (Med.) An involuntary and unnatural contraction of one or more muscles or muscular fibers. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Spasm are usually either clonic or tonic. In clonic spasm, the muscles or muscular fibers contract and relax alternately in very quick succession. In tonic spasm, the contraction is steady and uniform, and continues for a comparatively long time, as in tetanus. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A sudden, violent, and temporary effort or emotion; as, a spasm of repentance. [ 1913 Webster ]

Cynic spasm (Med.) See under Cynic. --
Spasm of the chest. See Angina pectoris, under Angina. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Spasmodic. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Med.) A medicine for spasm. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Gr. &unr_;; &unr_; a convulsion + &unr_; likeness: cf. F. spasmotique. ] 1. (Med.) Of or pertaining to spasm; consisting in spasm; occuring in, or characterized by, spasms; as, a spasmodic asthma. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Soon relaxed or exhausted; convulsive; intermittent; as, spasmodic zeal or industry. [ 1913 Webster ]

Spasmodic croup (Med.), an affection of childhood characterized by a stoppage of brathing developed suddenly and without fever, and produced by spasmodic contraction of the vocal cords. It is sometimes fatal. Called also laryngismus stridulus, and childcrowing. --
Spasmodic stricture, a stricture caused by muscular spasm without structural change. See Organic stricture, under Organic. [ 1913 Webster ]