Other forms: spasms
A spasm is a sudden involuntary tightening of a muscle. A muscle spasm, back spasms, a spasm of pain.
It is not under any control, which is what makes it a spasm rather than a cramp you can stretch out. Back spasms are among the commonest causes of sudden disabling pain. The word is also used of feelings: a spasm of guilt, a spasm of anger.
1nounspasmA sudden involuntary tightening of a muscle.
“He had a painful spasm in his back and couldn't get out of bed.”
spasm is a contraction.
Greek spasmos comes from span, to draw or pull.
Ancient Greek
σπασμός — spasm, convulsion
Latin
spasmus
Old French
spasme
Middle English
spasme
English, today
spasm
Built from
From Middle English spasme, from Old French spasme, from Latin spasmus, from Ancient Greek σπασμός (“spasm, convulsion”), from σπάω (“to draw out, pull out”).
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA