Definition of PAROXYSM

paroxysm

Meanings

Plural: paroxysms

Noun

  • a sudden uncontrollable attack
    • "a paroxysm of giggling"
  • A period (especially one of several recurring periods) during the course of an illness when symptoms worsen; a sudden attack of a disease symptom, such as a bout of coughing or a seizure.
  • Chiefly followed by of: a sudden outburst of violent activity or feeling; also, the most severe part of an activity or incident; the climax.
  • An outburst of a violent argument or disagreement.
  • A violent occurrence of a natural phenomenon, such as an earthquake, thunderstorm, or volcanic eruption; specifically (volcanology), the most explosive event during a series of volcanic eruptions.
  • Disastrous or sudden change.

Origin / Etymology

From Late Middle English paroxism, paroxisme (“period of worsening of a disease, attack; sudden recurrent fever”), from Middle French paroxisme, paroxysme, and Old French peroxime (“period of worsening of a disease; bout of fever or illness”) (modern French paroxysme), and from their etymon Late Latin paroxismus, paroxysmus (“a fit; onset of a disease; violent impulse or sadness”), from Ancient Greek πᾰροξῠσμός (păroxŭsmós, “exasperation, irritation; severe fit of a disease”), from πᾰροξῡ́νω (păroxū́nō, “to irritate, provoke”) (from παρα- (para-, prefix meaning ‘parallel to but separate from or going beyond, beside’) + ὀξῡ́νω (oxū́nō, “to provoke; to sharpen”) (from ὀξῠ́ς (oxŭ́s, “sharp”), probably ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂eḱ- (“sharp”))) + -μός (-mós, suffix forming abstract nouns). By surface analysis, para- + oxy- + -ism.

Synonyms

acme, apex, apogee, apotheosis, ascendance, capstone, climax, convulsion, coronation, crown, culmination, Everest, exacervation, extreme, fastigium, fit, high note, high point, high tide, high-water mark, midday, outblossom, paroxysm, perihelion, pinnacle, summa, summit

Scrabble Score: 22

paroxysm is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
paroxysm is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
paroxysm is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 23

paroxysm is a valid Words With Friends word