HOW TO PRONOUNCE
paroxysm
/ˈpɛɹəkˌsɪzəm/
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American Pronunciation Guide · 1:03
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What does paroxysm mean?
noun
- A period (especially one of several recurring periods) during the course of an illness when symptoms worsen; a sudden attack of a disease symptom, such as a bout of coughing or a seizure.
- Chiefly followed by of: a sudden outburst of violent activity or feeling; also, the most severe part of an activity or incident; the climax.
- A violent occurrence of a natural phenomenon, such as an earthquake, thunderstorm, or volcanic eruption; specifically (volcanology), the most explosive event during a series of volcanic eruptions.
More meanings (2)
noun
- (archaic) An outburst of a violent argument or disagreement.
- (rare) Disastrous or sudden change.
Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0
IPA pronunciation
/ˈpɛɹəkˌsɪzəm/
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.
In the pages of books
See this word in context.
But stronger than all was maternal love, wrought into a paroxysm of frenzy by the near approach of a fearful danger.
Generally, after a paroxysm he is hungry, unless, indeed, there be severe inflammation either of the chest or of the lungs.
More book examples (3)
The atrocious woman, in the paroxysm of her wrath, not content with murdering her victim, literally mangled her face, and broke her breast bone.
In parasitic diseases of the air passages and lungs, the paroxysm of coughing may be severe and "husky" in character.
As a paroxysm came on the man was in the habit of gently pressing and holding the arm closely to his body.