noun
spasm
SPAZ-uhm/ˈspæzəm/
A sudden brief muscular contraction.
A sudden spasm in my calf makes me stop walking.
Etymology
Greek spasmos named a convulsion and came from a verb meaning “draw,” “pull,” or “contract violently.” The connection is a muscle's sudden involuntary pulling tight.
In context
it can cause an involuntary muscle spasm. This quick jerk motion pulls air in and snaps your vocal cords shut leading to the familiar hiccuping sound.
More examples
- She felt a brief spasm in her eyelid.
- The doctor prescribed medicine to reduce his muscle spasms.
- My back went into spasm when I lifted the box.
Forms
spasm · spasms
spasmodic adjective — Involving sudden, involuntary contractions of muscles.