Paroxysm: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ฑ
paroxysm
[ หpรฆrษksษชzษm ]
sudden outburst
A paroxysm is a sudden and intense expression of an emotion or activity. It often refers to a sudden attack or violent expression of a particular feeling, such as anger or laughter. The term can be used in a variety of contexts, including health, where it may describe a sudden recurrence of symptoms.
Synonyms
attack, episode, fit, outburst, spasm
Examples of usage
- She had a paroxysm of laughter at the joke.
- His anger resulted in a paroxysm of rage.
- The patient experienced a paroxysm of coughing.
- In moments of stress, he would often have paroxysms of anxiety.
Translations
Translations of the word "paroxysm" in other languages:
๐ต๐น paroxismo
๐ฎ๐ณ เคชเฅเคฐเฅเคเฅเคธเคฟเคเคผเฅเคฎ
๐ฉ๐ช Paroxysmus
๐ฎ๐ฉ paroksisme
๐บ๐ฆ ะฟะฐัะฐะบัะธะทะผ
๐ต๐ฑ paroksyzm
๐ฏ๐ต ็บไฝ
๐ซ๐ท paroxysme
๐ช๐ธ paroxismo
๐น๐ท paroksizm
๐ฐ๐ท ๋ฐ์
๐ธ๐ฆ ููุจุฉ ู ูุงุฌุฆุฉ
๐จ๐ฟ paroxyzmus
๐ธ๐ฐ paroxyzmus
๐จ๐ณ ๅไฝ
๐ธ๐ฎ paroksizem
๐ฎ๐ธ paroxysmus
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะฟะฐัะฐะบัะธะผ
๐ฌ๐ช แแแ แแฅแกแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ paroksizm
๐ฒ๐ฝ paroxismo
Etymology
The term 'paroxysm' originates from the Greek word 'paroxysmos', which means 'to irritate' or 'to provoke'. The prefix 'para-' means 'beside' or 'along', while the root 'oxus' refers to 'sharp' or 'keen'. This combination reflects the idea of a sharp or intense reaction. The word entered the English language in the late 15th century, primarily used in medical contexts to describe a sudden increase in the severity of a disease or a sudden emotional outburst. Over the centuries, the use of 'paroxysm' expanded to include broader contexts, emphasizing the suddenness and intensity of an event, whether it be emotional, physical, or symptomatic.