Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Topic: ILLNESS AND DISABILITY

Date: 1500-1600
Language: French
Origin: paroxysme, from Greek paroxysmos, from paroxynein 'to encourage into action', from oxys 'sharp'

paroxysm

 noun
     
par‧ox‧ys‧m [countable]
1 a sudden expression of strong feeling that you cannot control
paroxysm of
Had she cut her wrists in a paroxysm of guilt?
2MI a sudden, short attack of pain, coughing, shaking etc
Definition of paroxysm from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English within
the topic ILLNESS AND DISABILITY
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