PAROXYSM

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does paroxysm mean? 

• PAROXYSM (noun)
  The noun PAROXYSM has 1 sense:

1. a sudden uncontrollable attack

  Familiarity information: PAROXYSM used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PAROXYSM (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A sudden uncontrollable attack

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

convulsion; fit; paroxysm

Context example:

convulsions of laughter

Hypernyms ("paroxysm" is a kind of...):

attack (a sudden occurrence of an uncontrollable condition)

Derivation:

paroxysmal (accompanied by or of the nature of paroxysms)

 Context examples 

A heart condition marked by paroxysms of chest pain due to reduced oxygen to the heart.

(Angina, NCI Thesaurus)

“The paper! Of course!” yelled Holmes, in a paroxysm of excitement.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Stop; there may be a clue after all, if we can find why to-day his paroxysms came on at high noon and at sunset.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Small waves, with spiteful foaming crests, continually broke over me and into my mouth, sending me off into more strangling paroxysms.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

But just as the howl was on the verge of bursting from the full throat, the wide-opened mouth was closed, the paroxysms ceased, and he looked long and steadily at the retreating man.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

Unable to turn his back on the fanged danger and go on, the bull would be driven into paroxysms of rage.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

His limbs were convulsed and his fingers contorted as though he had died in a very paroxysm of fear.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

This disease is characterized by irregularly recurring febrile paroxysms that in extreme cases occur with acute cerebral, renal, or gastrointestinal manifestations.

(Falciparum Malaria, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

All the demoniacal force of the man masked behind that listless manner burst out in a paroxysm of energy.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Paroxysms of pain.

(Colic, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)