Spasmodic
/spæzˈmɒdɪk/noun
Occurring suddenly and intermittently in brief, irregular bursts or contractions.
Did you know?The word traces back to Greek spasmós, originally meaning a sudden drawing or pulling before becoming associated with convulsions and involuntary contractions.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*speh₂-
“To draw, pull, or stretch”
Ancient Greek
Greek
σπάω (spáō)
“To draw, pull, or wrench”
Ancient Greek
Greek
σπασμός (spasmós)
“A drawing, pulling, or convulsive contraction”
Late Greek
Greek
σπασμωδικός (spasmōdikós)
“Pertaining to spasms or convulsions”
17th Century
French
spasmodique
“Characterized by spasms”
17th Century
English
spasmodic
“Occurring in spasms; sudden and irregular”