paroxysmicadj.
/ˌparəkˈsɪzmɪk/, U.S. /ˌpɛrəkˈsɪzmɪk/ = paroxysmal adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > irregular movement or agitation > [adjective] > violent or convulsive
paroxysmal1577
convulsive1615
convulsionary1798
paroxysmic1850
the world > action or operation > manner of action > violent action or operation > [adjective] > violent at intervals or convulsive
paroxysmal1577
convulsive1615
convulsionary1798
spasmodic1841
paroxysmic1850
1850 C. Kingsley Alton Locke I. xv. 241 They fancy that they honour inspiration by supposing it to be only extraordinary and paroxysmic.
1889 Chicago Advance 7 Feb. 114 The slender figure writhed with the paroxysmic effort [of coughing].
1929 Science 8 Feb. 160/2 The paroxysmic folding of mid-Oligocene times.
1972 Daily Tel. 24 Nov. (Colour Suppl.) 20/1 The Melbourne Cup..brings virtually the whole of Australia to a stop. Its effect on Melbourne itself is paroxysmic.
1991 Paragraph July 167 Françoise's first real perception of Xavière as a sexual woman takes place well before this paroxysmic scene, when Françoise is still in hospital.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2005; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
adj.1850- square-free
- square-fronted
- square-ground
- square-headed
- square-headedness
- square-header
- square-hewn
- square-hung
- square-jawed
- square-joint
- square-jointed
- square-knot
- square-leg
- square-lipped rhino
- square-looking
- square-made
- square-maker
- square-mouthed
- square-mouthed rhino
- square-net
- square-nosed
- square-pair
- square-pied
- square-podded rocket
- square-pupilled