2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Spasm  \Spasm\,  n.  [F.  spasme,  L.  spasmus  Gr  ?,  from  ?,  ?,  to 
  draw,  to  cause  convulsion.  Cf  {Span},  v.  t.] 
  1.  (Med.)  An  involuntary  and  unnatural  contraction  of  one  or 
  more  muscles  or  muscular  fibers. 
 
  Note:  Spasm  are  usually  either  clonic  or  tonic.  In  clonic 
  spasm,  the  muscles  or  muscular  fibers  contract  and 
  relax  alternately  in  very  quick  succession.  In  tonic 
  spasm,  the  contraction  is  steady  and  uniform,  and 
  continues  for  a  comparatively  long  time,  as  in  tetanus. 
 
  2.  A  sudden,  violent,  and  temporary  effort  or  emotion;  as  a 
  spasm  of  repentance. 
 
  {Cynic  spasm}  (Med.)  See  under  {Cynic}. 
 
  {Spasm  of  the  chest}.  See  {Angina  pectoris},  under  {Angina}. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  spasm 
  n  1:  a  painful  and  involuntary  muscular  contraction  [syn:  {cramp}] 
  2:  (pathology)  sudden  constriction  of  a  hollow  organ  (as  a 
  blood  vessel) 

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