'Spasmodic' definitions:

Definition of 'spasmodic'

From: WordNet
adjective
Affected by involuntary jerky muscular contractions; resembling a spasm; "convulsive motions"; "his body made a spasmodic jerk"; "spastic movements" [syn: convulsive, spasmodic, spastic]
adjective
Occurring in spells and often abruptly; "fitful bursts of energy"; "spasmodic rifle fire" [syn: fitful, spasmodic]

Definition of 'Spasmodic'

From: GCIDE
  • Spasmodic \Spas"mod"ic\, a. [Gr. ?; ? a convulsion + ? likeness: cf. F. spasmotique.]
  • 1. (Med.) Of or pertaining to spasm; consisting in spasm; occuring in, or characterized by, spasms; as, a spasmodic asthma. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Soon relaxed or exhausted; convulsive; intermittent; as, spasmodic zeal or industry. [1913 Webster]
  • Spasmodic croup (Med.), an affection of childhood characterized by a stoppage of brathing developed suddenly and without fever, and produced by spasmodic contraction of the vocal cords. It is sometimes fatal. Called also laryngismus stridulus, and childcrowing.
  • Spasmodic stricture, a stricture caused by muscular spasm without structural change. See Organic stricture, under Organic. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Spasmodic'

From: GCIDE
  • Spasmodic \Spas*mod"ic\, n. (Med.) A medicine for spasm. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'spasmodic'

From: Moby Thesaurus