/spaz"euhm/ , n.
1. Pathol. a sudden, abnormal, involuntary muscular contraction, consisting of a continued muscular contraction (tonic spasm) or of a series of alternating muscular contractions and relaxations (clonic spasm) .
2. any sudden, brief spell of great energy, activity, feeling, etc.
[ 1350-1400; ME spasme spasmus spasmós convulsion, deriv. of spân to draw a sword or cord, wrench (off), convulse ]
Syn. 2. fit, storm, flash, spurt.