n. [ F. spasme, L. spasmus, Gr. &unr_;, from &unr_;, &unr_;, to draw, to cause convulsion. Cf. Span, v. t. ]
☞ Spasm are usually either clonic or tonic. In clonic spasm, the muscles or muscular fibers contract and relax alternately in very quick succession. In tonic spasm, the contraction is steady and uniform, and continues for a comparatively long time, as in tetanus. [ 1913 Webster ]
Cynic spasm (Med.)
Spasm of the chest.
a. Spasmodic. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
n. (Med.) A medicine for spasm. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ Gr. &unr_;; &unr_; a convulsion + &unr_; likeness: cf. F. spasmotique. ]
Spasmodic croup (Med.),
Spasmodic stricture,
a. Same as Spasmodic, a. --