browse words by letter
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
spasmodic |
3 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Spasmodic \Spas*mod"ic\, n. (Med.) A medicine for spasm. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Spasmodic \Spas"mod"ic\, a. [Gr. ?; ? a convulsion + ? likeness: cf F. spasmotique.] 1. (Med.) Of or pertaining to spasm; consisting in spasm; occuring in or characterized by spasms; as a spasmodic asthma. 2. Soon relaxed or exhausted; convulsive; intermittent; as spasmodic zeal or industry. {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}. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: spasmodic adj 1: affected by involuntary jerky muscular contractions; resembling a spasm; "convulsive motions"; "his body made a spasmodic jerk"; "spastic movements" [syn: {convulsive}, {spastic}] 2: occurring in spells and often abruptly; "fitful bursts of energy"; "spasmodic rifle fire" [syn: {fitful}]
more about spasmodic