paroxysm, paroxisme

[Fr. paroxisme, from Lat. paroxysm us; Gr. paroxysmos =irritation; the fit of a disease; paroxyno =to provoke, to irritate: para beside, and oxynō =to sharpen, to provoke; oxys sharp; Sp. & Port. paroxismo; Ital. parosismo, paro ismo.] I. Ordinary Language : 1. In the same sense as II. 2. 2. Any sudden and violent action or fit; a convulsion; a spasmodic affection. "Returning paroxysms of diffidence and despair."South: Sermons, vol. vi., ser. 6. *3. A quarrel. "The paroxysm betwixt Paul and Barnabas."-Fuller: Pisgah Sight , iv., i. 29. II. Technically : 1. Pathol.: The exacerbation of a disease at periodic times. Used chiefly of fever or spasm. 2. Geol .: A particularly violent outburst of volcanic or other energy. păr-ox-ỹş-mal, a . [Eng. paroxysm ; -al .] Pertaining to or characterized by paroxysms; caused by a paroxysm or convulsion of nature. păr-ox-ỹş-mal-ly, adv . [Eng. paroxysmal ; -ly .] In a paroxysmal manner; by or with paroxysms. †păr-ox-ỹş-mic, a . [Eng. paroxysm ; -ic.] Of the nature of a paroxysm; paroxysmal, spasmodic. "Supposing it [inspiration] to be only extraordinary and paroxysmic." C. Kingsley: Alton Loche , ch. xv. *păr-ox-yş-mist, s . [Eng. paroxysm ; -ist .] Geol.: The same as CATASTROPHIST (q. v.). păr-ox-ý-tone, a. & s . [Gr. paroxytonos .] A. As adj .: In Greek grammar applied to a word having an acute accent on the penultimate syllable. B. As subst.: A word having an acute accent on the penultimate syllable. pine, pit, sire, sir, marine; gō, pot, parpoint