— spasmodically , adv.
/spaz mod"ik/ , adj.
1. pertaining to or of the nature of a spasm; characterized by spasms.
2. resembling a spasm or spasms; sudden but brief; sporadic: spasmodic efforts at reform.
3. given to or characterized by bursts of excitement.
Also, spasmodical .
[ 1675-85; spasmodicus spasmód ( es ) spasmodic (deriv. of spasmós SPASM; see -ODE 1 ) + L - icus -IC ]
Syn. 2. occasional, intermittent, periodic, fleeting.