spasmo-, spasm-, spas- +

Spasmodic muscular contractions precipitated by sounds heard or made by the patient.

Spasm of the diaphragm, as when hiccuping.

Spasm of the foot or feet.

Nodding spasm.

In infants, a drop of the head on the chest because of a loss of tone in the neck muscles as in epilepsia nutans, or to tonic spasm of anterior neck muscles as in west's syndrome

In adults, a nodding of the head from clonic spasm's of the sternomastoid muscles. Clonic spasms are movements marked by contractions and relaxations of a muscle, occurring in rapid succession.

A sudden, violent, involuntary contraction or a jerky affection of the muscles of the lower extremities; such as the legs: Saltatory spasms cause patients' leg muscles to twitch or to jerk and are also known as tics.

1. A sudden, violent, involuntary contraction of a muscle or a group of muscles, attended by pain and interference with function, producing involuntary movement and distortion.
2. A sudden but transitory constriction of a bodily passage, canal, or orifice.

• A muscle spasm can be quite painful, with the muscle clenching tightly. A spasm of the coronary artery can cause angina.
• Spasms in various types of tissue may be caused by stress, medication, over-exercise, or other factors.

3. A brief, automatic jerking movement.
4. Sudden burst of activity: a sudden brief emotion, sensation, or action.

Divination by interpreting spasms or the twitches of a body: Mary found out that spasmatomancy was helpful in foretelling the illness of a potential sufferer by his or her convulsions or uncontrolled contractions that occurred.

1. A reference to, or of the nature of, a spasm.
2. Relating to, affected by, or having the character of a spasm; convulsive.
3. Happening intermittently; fitful: "We could hear spasmodic rifle fire from the hunters."
4. Given to sudden outbursts of energy or feeling; excitable.

1. With spasms: "Her mouth was slightly open, and jerked violently and spasmodically at one corner."
2. In spurts and fits: "His wife began to write intermittently and spasmodically."
3. Resembling a spasm or spasms; sudden but brief; sporadic.
3. Given to or characterized by bursts of excitement.

1. A substance that produces or causes spasms.
2. A substance causing contractions of the smooth muscles.

Relating to the production of or causing spasms.

A hiccup, or an involuntary spasmodic contraction of the diaphragm, causing a beginning inhalation that is suddenly checked by closure of the glottis, causing a characteristic sound; also called a hiccough and singultus.

1. Relieving spasm, usually of smooth muscle, as in arteries, bronchi, intestine, bile duct, ureters, or sphincters, but also of voluntary muscle.
2. An agent that relieves spasm.

The elimination or checking (control) of a spasm.

1. Relieving spasm, usually of smooth muscle, as in arteries, bronchi, intestine, bile duct, ureters, or sphincters, but also of voluntary muscle.
2. An agent that relieves spasm.