paroxysm

Paroxysm, n.

Etymology: [F. paroxysme, Gr.

1. (Med.)

The fit, attack, or exacerbation, of a disease that occurs at intervals, or has decided remissions or intermissions. Arbuthnot.

2. Any sudden and violent emotion; spasmodic passion or action; a convulsion; a fit. The returning paroxysms of diffidence and despair. South.

Shades of meaning

Fernald has no entry of its own for paroxysm; he lists it under pain.

Where he writes about it:

Paroxysm applies to an alternately recurring and receding pain, which comes as it were in waves; the paroxysm is the rising of the wave. — from pain

Synonyms

pain ache agony anguish distress pang suffering throe torment torture twinge woe

Antonyms

comfort delight ease enjoyment peace rapture relief solace

etymology Webster’s online