27 August 2016
paroxysm
[par-uh k-siz-uh m]
noun
1. any sudden, violent outburst; a fit of violent action or emotion:
paroxysms of rage.
2. Pathology. a severe attack or a sudden increase in intensity of a disease, usually recurring periodically.
Origin of paroxysm
Greek
1570-1580; earlier paroxismos < Greek paroxysmós irritation, derivative of paroxýnein to irritate. See par-, oxy-1, -ism
Related forms
paroxysmal, paroxysmic, adjective
paroxysmally, adverb
hyperparoxysm, noun
postparoxysmal, adjective
preparoxysmal, adjective
Dictionary.com
Examples from the Web for paroxysm
Historical Examples
The crowd, delirious, cries and sobs in a paroxysm of despair.
Woman on Her Own, False Gods & The Red Robe
Eugne Brieux
After a while the paroxysm of drunkenness is completely formed.
Select Temperance Tracts
American Tract Society
He did not recognise me for some time, but as soon as he did, he fell into a paroxysm half hysterical, half frantic.
The Felon’s Track
Michael Doheny
If this paroxysm of sorrow was to assail him again that night, there was but one place for him to be.
The Octopus
Frank Norris
Before I had well reached the top of the passage and felt for the match-box on the slab, I was in a paroxysm of horror.
Johnny Ludlow, Fifth Series
Mrs. Henry Wood
The deep-seated travail of his grief abruptly reached the paroxysm.
The Octopus
Frank Norris
He was fairly beside himself in a paroxysm of rage and struck at the air with his clenched fist.
The Last Shot
Frederick Palmer
Sits down, breaks into a paroxysm of laughter, wild and continued.
Modern Icelandic Plays
Jhann Sigurjnsson
The paroxysm was as short as it was violent, and her features again returned to their usual placidity of majestic beauty.
Rattlin the Reefer
Edward Howard
She looked up timidly; the paroxysm had passed, but her lashes yet glittered.
In the Carquinez Woods
Bret Harte
Anagram
max or spy
spar my ox
pays Mr ox
Today’s quote
If you think we can’t change the world, it just means you’re not one of those that will.
– Jacque Fresco
On this day
27 August 1883 – the world’s biggest recorded explosion occurs on Krakatoa, an Indonesian island as a volcano erupts, killing between 36,000 and 120,000 people. The noise is heard in Perth, Western Australia, 3,500km away and Mauritius, 4,800km away where it was thought to be cannon fire. Tsunamis up to 30m high were recorded. It generated a cloud of ash 27km high. In the 12 months after the explosion, global temperatures fell by 1.2oC. The explosion darkened the sky for years afterward.
27 August 1908 – birth of Sir Donald Bradman (The Don), Australia’s (and arguably, the world’s) greatest cricketer. In his last Test, Bradman’s batting average was 101.39 runs per innings, but on the second ball he faced, he was bowled for a duck (zero), reducing his batting average to 99.94. It is the highest batting average in test cricket. Died 25 February 2001.
27 August 1975 – death of Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia. Although Selassie was an Ethiopian Orthodox Christian, Rastafarians believe that he is the Messiah returned. Born 23 July 1892.