paroxysm

Everyday

1. A sudden, strong burst of a feeling or action that you cannot control: «a paroxysm of laughter», «a paroxysm of rage». tree →
2. (medicine) A sudden attack or worsening of an illness, such as a fit of coughing. tree →

In the lessons

In stories this word shows a character overcome: Toad has paroxysms of joy and rage in The Wind in the Willows. In medicine, whooping cough causes paroxysms of coughing.

Examples

• The children fell into paroxysms of laughter. tree →
• Toad flew into a paroxysm of rage. tree →
• A paroxysm of coughing shook the old man. tree →
• She was seized by a paroxysm of fear. tree →
• The joke sent the class into paroxysms. tree →
• Whooping cough brings paroxysms of coughing. tree →

Note

Pronounced PA-rok-sizm. Usually followed by «of». Similar: fit, outburst, spasm.