paroxysm

noun

par·ox·ysm ˈper-ək-ˌsi-zəm How to pronounce paroxysm (audio)

ˈpa-rək-,

also

pə-ˈräk-

: a fit, attack, or sudden increase or recurrence of symptoms (as of a disease) : convulsion

a paroxysm of coughing

convulsed … in the paroxysms of an epileptic seizure

Thomas Hardy

: a sudden violent emotion or action : outburst

a paroxysm of rage

a paroxysm of laughter

paroxysmal

ˌper-ək-ˈsiz-məl How to pronounce paroxysm (audio)

ˌpa-rək-

also pə-ˌräk-

adjective

Did you know?

Paroxysm didn't just burst onto the scene recently; its roots go back to ancient Greek. The word ultimately derives from the Greek paroxynein, which means "to stimulate." Oxynein, a parent of paroxynein, means "to provoke" or "to sharpen" and comes from oxys, a Greek word for "sharp." (That root also underlies the word oxygen.) In its earliest known English uses in the 15th century, paroxysm denoted agitation or intensification of a disease or its symptoms. (A still-used example of that sense is "a paroxysm of coughing.") Additionally, paroxysm soon took on a broader sense referring to an outburst, especially a dramatic physical or emotional one.

Example Sentences

He went into paroxysms of laughter. a paroxysm of laughter greeted the pratfall

Recent Examples on the Web When word got out last month that Angel’s Share might close after nearly 30 years, the city — or at least a very vocal slice that was devoted to artisanal cocktails — spun into a paroxysm of despair.

New York Times, 8 Apr. 2022 Much better, the patient exclaimed, but then exploded into a paroxysm of coughing.

New York Times, 16 Feb. 2022 The events themselves took a matter of minutes to unfold in a paroxysm of one-sided gunfire that snuffed out more than a dozen lives, each one of them a new martyr in Northern Ireland’s somber annals of loss.

Alan Cowell, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Jan. 2022 The events themselves took a matter of minutes to unfold in a paroxysm of one-sided gunfire that snuffed out more than a dozen lives, each one of them a new martyr in Northern Ireland’s somber annals of loss.

New York Times, 29 Jan. 2022 If scientists can collect ash that was produced both prior to and during the paroxysm, the different chemical and textural features of both sets of particles will reveal the explosion’s trigger.

Robin Andrews, Wired, 20 Jan. 2022 As these images played to a global audience riveted by the drama at the airport, the West, in a paroxysm of regret, opened its arms to Afghan refugees.

New York Times, 10 Dec. 2021 Foreign leaders are wondering just how long the break from Trumpism will last and whether the nation that once stabilized the world will pitch it into a new paroxysm of populist nationalism if Trump is reelected in 2024.

Stephen Collinson, CNN, 1 Nov. 2021 This, in turn, touched off a paroxysm of media takes about whether such confrontations broke the bounds of civility.

Jason Linkins, The New Republic, 9 Oct. 2021 See More

单词	paroxysms
释义	paroxysm noun par·ox·ysm ˈper-ək-ˌsi-zəm ˈpa-rək-, also pə-ˈräk- 1 : a fit, attack, or sudden increase or recurrence of symptoms (as of a disease) : convulsion a paroxysm of coughing convulsed … in the paroxysms of an epileptic seizure Thomas Hardy 2 : a sudden violent emotion or action : outburst a paroxysm of rage a paroxysm of laughter paroxysmal ˌper-ək-ˈsiz-məl ˌpa-rək- also pə-ˌräk- adjective Did you know? Paroxysm didn't just burst onto the scene recently; its roots go back to ancient Greek. The word ultimately derives from the Greek paroxynein, which means "to stimulate." Oxynein, a parent of paroxynein, means "to provoke" or "to sharpen" and comes from oxys, a Greek word for "sharp." (That root also underlies the word oxygen.) In its earliest known English uses in the 15th century, paroxysm denoted agitation or intensification of a disease or its symptoms. (A still-used example of that sense is "a paroxysm of coughing.") Additionally, paroxysm soon took on a broader sense referring to an outburst, especially a dramatic physical or emotional one. Synonyms agony blaze burst ebullition eruption explosion fit flare flare-up flash flush gale gush gust outburst spasm storm See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences He went into paroxysms of laughter. a paroxysm of laughter greeted the pratfall Recent Examples on the Web When word got out last month that Angel’s Share might close after nearly 30 years, the city — or at least a very vocal slice that was devoted to artisanal cocktails — spun into a paroxysm of despair. New York Times, 8 Apr. 2022 Much better, the patient exclaimed, but then exploded into a paroxysm of coughing. New York Times, 16 Feb. 2022 The events themselves took a matter of minutes to unfold in a paroxysm of one-sided gunfire that snuffed out more than a dozen lives, each one of them a new martyr in Northern Ireland’s somber annals of loss. Alan Cowell, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Jan. 2022 The events themselves took a matter of minutes to unfold in a paroxysm of one-sided gunfire that snuffed out more than a dozen lives, each one of them a new martyr in Northern Ireland’s somber annals of loss. New York Times, 29 Jan. 2022 If scientists can collect ash that was produced both prior to and during the paroxysm, the different chemical and textural features of both sets of particles will reveal the explosion’s trigger. Robin Andrews, Wired, 20 Jan. 2022 As these images played to a global audience riveted by the drama at the airport, the West, in a paroxysm of regret, opened its arms to Afghan refugees. New York Times, 10 Dec. 2021 Foreign leaders are wondering just how long the break from Trumpism will last and whether the nation that once stabilized the world will pitch it into a new paroxysm of populist nationalism if Trump is reelected in 2024. Stephen Collinson, CNN, 1 Nov. 2021 This, in turn, touched off a paroxysm of media takes about whether such confrontations broke the bounds of civility. Jason Linkins, The New Republic, 9 Oct. 2021 See More Word History Etymology Middle English paroxism, from Medieval Latin paroxysmus, from Greek paroxysmos, from paroxynein to stimulate, from para- + oxynein to provoke, from oxys sharp — more at oxygen First Known Use 15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Medical Definition paroxysm noun par·ox·ysm ˈpar-ək-ˌsiz-əm also pə-ˈräk- 1 : a sudden attack or spasm (as of a disease) 2 : a sudden recurrence of symptoms or an intensification of existing symptoms pain occurred in frequent paroxysms Therapeutic Notes paroxysms noun plural of paroxysm 1 as in bursts a sudden intense expression of strong feeling a paroxysm of laughter greeted the pratfall Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance bursts outbursts eruptions explosions spasms flashes gales gusts ebullitions agonies frenzies blazes flushes flares storms gushes fits rages ecstasies raptures flare-ups tantrums deliriums blowups grouches firestorms transports furors 2 as in upheavals a violent disturbance (as of the political or social order) Darwin's introduction of the theory of evolution created paroxysms in both religion and science that are still being felt today Synonyms & Similar Words upheavals convulsions revolutions earthquakes insurrections revolts storms tempests uprisings tumults turmoils rebellions uproars eruptions cataclysms mutinies spasms outbursts insurgencies stirs seizures upsets outbreaks bouleversements commotions subversions overthrows fits overturns rows coils squalls bustles ructions bluster furores furors routs flare-ups stews welters ruckuses fusses williwaws hubbubs shindies pandemoniums rumpuses shindys bobberies hullabaloos hurly-burlies to-dos
随便看	documentarist documentarists documentary documentary bill documentary draft documentary stamp documentation documentational documentations documented documenter documenters documenting documentize documents docuseries docusoap docusoaps DOD dod wells dod-rot doda dodad dodded dodder

paroxysm

noun

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Medical Definition

noun

noun