/ spæzˈmɒdɪk; NAmE -ˈmɑːd-/ adjective
1.
happening suddenly for short periods of time; not regular or continuous :
There was spasmodic fighting in the area yesterday.
2.
( technical ) caused by your muscles becoming tight in a way that you cannot control :
spasmodic movements
► spas·mod·ic·al·ly / -kli; NAmE / adverb
••
WORD ORIGIN
late 17th cent.: from modern Latin spasmodicus , from Greek spasmōdēs , from spasma , from span pull.