paroxysm

noun

par·​ox·​ysm ˈper-ək-ˌsi-zəm How to pronounce paroxysm (audio)
ˈpa-rək-,
also
pə-ˈräk- How to pronounce paroxysm (audio)
1
: a fit, attack, or sudden increase or recurrence of symptoms (as of a disease) : convulsion
a paroxysm of coughing
convulsed … in the paroxysms of an epileptic seizureThomas Hardy
2
: a sudden violent emotion or action : outburst
a paroxysm of rage
a paroxysm of laughter
paroxysmal
ˌper-ək-ˈsiz-məl How to pronounce paroxysm (audio)
ˌpa-rək-
 also  pə-ˌräk-
adjective

Did you know?

Paroxysm didn't just burst onto the scene recently; its roots go back to ancient Greek. The word ultimately derives from the Greek paroxynein, which means "to stimulate." Oxynein, a parent of paroxynein, means "to provoke" or "to sharpen" and comes from oxys, a Greek word for "sharp." (That root also underlies the word oxygen.) In its earliest known English uses in the 15th century, paroxysm denoted agitation or intensification of a disease or its symptoms. (A still-used example of that sense is "a paroxysm of coughing.") Additionally, paroxysm soon took on a broader sense referring to an outburst, especially a dramatic physical or emotional one.

Examples of paroxysm in a Sentence

He went into paroxysms of laughter. a paroxysm of laughter greeted the pratfall
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Many of the young men peeling away from the Democrats came of age during in the social paroxysms of recent years: #MeToo, DEI, online cancellations—cultural changes that some men interpreted as hostile to them. Charlotte Alter, TIME, 23 Oct. 2024 For Fu, a 24-year-old graduate student in Beijing, this month’s paroxysms don’t change much on the ground. Janis MacKey Frayer, NBC News, 12 Oct. 2024 These symptoms include: Runny or stuffed up nose Low-grade fever (less than 100.4℉) Mild, occasional cough One to two weeks after the first symptoms start, people may develop paroxysms, or coughing fits, that usually last one to six weeks but can last up to 10 weeks. Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 5 June 2024 This confession sends O’Brien into paroxysms of rage, and ends with a surreal conclusion that is pretty, pretty good. Stephen Rodrick, Variety, 18 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for paroxysm 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English paroxism, from Medieval Latin paroxysmus, from Greek paroxysmos, from paroxynein to stimulate, from para- + oxynein to provoke, from oxys sharp — more at oxygen

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of paroxysm was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near paroxysm

Cite this Entry

“Paroxysm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paroxysm. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

paroxysm

noun
par·​ox·​ysm ˈpar-ək-ˌsiz-əm How to pronounce paroxysm (audio)
1
: a fit, attack, or sudden increase of symptoms (as of a disease) that occurs, quiets down, and occurs again and again
a paroxysm of coughing
2
: a sudden violent emotion or action
paroxysms of rage

Medical Definition

paroxysm

noun
par·​ox·​ysm
ˈpar-ək-ˌsiz-əm also pə-ˈräk-
1
: a sudden attack or spasm (as of a disease)
2
: a sudden recurrence of symptoms or an intensification of existing symptoms
pain occurred in frequent paroxysmsTherapeutic Notes

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