spasm
noun
[ ˈspaz(ə)m ]
• a sudden involuntary muscular contraction or convulsive movement.
• "shifting heavy loads without help brought on muscular back spasms"
Similar:
convulsion,
contraction,
throes,
cramp,
twitch,
jerk,
tic,
start,
shudder,
shiver,
tremor,
tremble,
spasm
verb
• experience sudden involuntary muscular contractions; twitch convulsively.
• "my body spasmed violently"
Origin:
late Middle English: from Old French spasme, or via Latin from Greek spasmos, spasma, from span ‘pull’.
