par·ox·ysm (p r  k-s z m)n. 1. A sudden outburst of emotion or action: a paroxysm of laughter. 2. a. A sudden attack, recurrence, or intensification of a disease. b. A spasm or fit; a convulsion. [Middle English paroxism, periodic attack of a disease, from Medieval Latin paroxysmus, from Greek paroxusmos, from parox  nein, to stimulate, irritate : para-, intensive pref.; see para-1 + oxnein, to goad, sharpen (from oxus, sharp; see ak- in Indo-European roots).]par ox·ysmal (-k-szml) adj.par ox·ysmal·ly adv. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Adj. | 1. | paroxysmal - accompanied by or of the nature of paroxysms |
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