par ‧ ox ‧ ys ‧ m /ˈpærəksɪz ə m/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: French ; Origin: paroxysme , from Greek paroxysmos , from paroxynein 'to encourage into action' , from oxys 'sharp' ]
1 . a sudden expression of strong feeling that you cannot control
paroxysm of
Had she cut her wrists in a paroxysm of guilt?
2 . a sudden, short attack of pain, coughing, shaking etc