n.
Pronunciation: ' spa-z ə m
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English spasme, from Anglo-French espasme, from Latin spasmus, from Greek spasmos, from span to draw, pull
Date: 14th century
1 : an involuntary and abnormal muscular contraction
2 : a sudden violent and temporary effort, emotion, or sensation <a spasm of creativity> < spasm s of pain>
– spasm intransitive verb