[spas.mod.ic] adj [NL spasmodicus, fr. Gk spasmodes, fr. spasmos] (ca. 1681) 1 a: relating to or affected or characterized by spasm b: resembling a spasm esp. in sudden violence "a ~ jerk"
2: acting or proceeding fitfully: intermittent
3: subject to outbursts of emotional excitement: excitable syn see fitful -- spas.mod.i.cal.ly adv