Paroxysm: meaning, definitions and examples

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paroxysm

 

[ หˆpรฆrษ™ksษชzษ™m ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

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:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น paroxismo

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคชเฅˆเคฐเฅ‹เค•เฅเคธเคฟเคœเคผเฅเคฎ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Paroxysmus

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ paroksisme

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟะฐั€ะฐะบัะธะทะผ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ paroksyzm

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็™บไฝœ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท paroxysme

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ paroxismo

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท paroksizm

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ฐœ์ž‘

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู†ูˆุจุฉ ู…ูุงุฌุฆุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ paroxyzmus

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ paroxyzmus

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅ‘ไฝœ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ paroksizem

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ paroxysmus

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฟะฐั€ะฐะบัะธะผ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒžแƒแƒ แƒแƒฅแƒกแƒ˜แƒ–แƒ›แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ paroksizm

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ 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.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,037, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.