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n. 1. A sudden outburst of emotion or action: a paroxysm of laughter. 2. a. A sudden attack, recurrence, or intensification of a disease. b. A spasm or fit; a convulsion. [Middle English paroxism, periodic attack of a disease, from Medieval Latin paroxysmus, from Greek paroxusmos, from paroxūnein, to stimulate, irritate : para-, intensive pref.; see PARA-1 + oxūnein, to goad, sharpen (from oxus, sharp; see ak- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots).] par′ox·ysmal (-ək-sĭzməl) adj. par′ox·ysmal·ly adv. |
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