cramps - definition of cramps by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.

cramp¹ (kr

mp)

1. A sudden, involuntary, spasmodic muscular contraction causing severe pain, often occurring in the leg or shoulder as the result of strain or chill.

2. A temporary partial paralysis of habitually or excessively used muscles.

3. cramps Spasmodic contractions of the uterus, such as those occurring during menstruation or labor, usually causing pain in the abdomen that may radiate to the lower back and thighs.

v. cramped, cramp·ing, cramps

v.tr.

To affect with or as if with a cramp.

v.intr.

To suffer from or experience cramps.

[Middle English crampe, from Old French, of Germanic origin.]

cramp ¹

Noun

1. a sudden painful contraction of a muscle

2. temporary stiffness of a muscle group from overexertion: writer's cramp

3. severe stomach pain

4. a clamp for holding masonry or timber together

Verb

to affect with a cramp [Old French crampe]

cramp ²

Verb

1. to confine or restrict

2. cramp someone's style Informal to prevent someone from impressing another person or from behaving naturally: shyness will cramp their style [Middle Dutch crampe hook]

ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms

Noun	1.	cramp - a painful and involuntary muscular contraction muscle spasm, spasm symptom - (medicine) any sensation or change in bodily function that is experienced by a patient and is associated with a particular disease charley horse, charley-horse - a muscular cramp (especially in the thigh or calf) following vigorous exercise graphospasm, writer's cramp - muscular spasms of thumb and forefinger while writing with a pen or pencil blepharospasm - spasm of the eyelid muscle resulting in closure of the eye crick, kink, rick, wrick - a painful muscle spasm especially in the neck or back (`rick' and `wrick' are British) myoclonus - a clonic spasm of a muscle or muscle group opisthotonos - severe spasm in which the back arches and the head bends back and heels flex toward the back twitch, twitching, vellication - a sudden muscle spasm; especially one caused by a nervous condition tenesmus - painful spasm of the anal sphincter along with an urgent desire to defecate without the significant production of feces; associated with irritable bowel syndrome trismus - prolonged spasm of the jaw muscles
	2.	cramp - a clamp for holding pieces of wood together while they are glued clamp, clinch - a device (generally used by carpenters) that holds things firmly together
	3.	cramp - a strip of metal with ends bent at right angles; used to hold masonry together cramp iron strip, slip - artifact consisting of a narrow flat piece of material
Verb	1.	cramp - secure with a cramp; "cramp the wood" fasten, fix, secure - cause to be firmly attached; "fasten the lock onto the door"; "she fixed her gaze on the man"
	2.	cramp - prevent the progress or free movement of; "He was hampered in his efforts by the bad weather"; "the imperialist nation wanted to strangle the free trade between the two small countries" hamper, halter, strangle confine, limit, throttle, trammel, restrain, restrict, bound - place limits on (extent or access); "restrict the use of this parking lot"; "limit the time you can spend with your friends"
	3.	cramp - affect with or as if with a cramp affect - act physically on; have an effect upon; "the medicine affects my heart rate"
	4.	cramp - suffer from sudden painful contraction of a muscle suffer, sustain, have, get - undergo (as of injuries and illnesses); "She suffered a fracture in the accident"; "He had an insulin shock after eating three candy bars"; "She got a bruise on her leg"; "He got his arm broken in the scuffle"