spasm
[noun]
Synonyms:
- convulsion, contraction, paroxysm, twitch
- burst, eruption, fit, frenzy, outburst, seizure

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

spas‧m /ˈspæzəm/ noun
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: spasme, from Latin, from Greek spasmos, from span 'to pull']

1. [uncountable and countable] an occasion when your muscles suddenly become tight, causing you pain:
Maggie felt a muscle spasm in her back.
Tom’s jaw muscles had gone into spasm.
back/shoulder/throat etc spasm

2. spasm of grief/laughter/coughing etc a sudden strong feeling or reaction that you have for a short period of time:
I felt a spasm of fear.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

spasm
noun
ADJ. sudden | muscle, muscular
VERB + SPASM feel He felt a spasm of panic sweeping over him.
go into The muscle goes into spasm, producing the symptom of cramp.
SPASM + VERB pass, subside
PREP. in ~ She could not speak; her throat was in spasm.
~ of He kicked the chair in a spasm of impatience.
PHRASES a spasm of coughing/pain

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲