Spăsm, n.

n. [Fr. spasme, Pr. espasme, Sp. espasmo, pasmo, It. spasmo, spasimo, Lat. spasmus, Gr. σπασμός, from σπάειν, σπᾶν, to draw, to cause convulsion.]

1Sense 1. (Med.) An involuntary and morbid contraction of one or more muscles or muscular fibers.

☞ Spasms are either clonic or tonic. In clonic spasms, the muscles or muscular fibers contract and relax alternately in very quick succession. In tonic spasms, the muscles or muscular fibers contract in a steady and uniform manner, and remain contracted for a comparatively long time, as in tetanus. Some cases of spasm appear to be intermediate between these two varieties.

2Sense 2. A sudden, violent, and perhaps fruitless effort; as, a spasm of repentance.