paroxysm

UK: /ˈpærəksɪzəm/ US: /ˈpærəkˌsɪzəm/ ,(par′ək siz′əm)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

par•ox•ysm /ˈpærəkˌsɪzəm/   n. [countable]

1. any sudden, violent, or uncontrolled outburst, as of action or emotion:
   paroxysms of laughter.
2. Pathology a severe attack, or a sudden increase in the intensity, of a disease.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

par•ox•ysm  (par′ək siz′əm), n. 

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.

• Greek paroxysmós irritation, derivative of paroxýnein to irritate. See par-, oxy-¹, -ism
• earlier paroxismos 1570–80

par′ox•ys′mal, par′ox•ys′mic, adj. 
par′ox•ys′mal•ly, adv. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

paroxysm / ˈpærəkˌsɪzəm/ noun

1. an uncontrollable outburst: a paroxysm of giggling
2. a sudden attack or recurrence of a disease
3. any fit or convulsion

Etymology: 17th Century: via French from Medieval Latin paroxysmus annoyance, from Greek paroxusmos, from paroxunein to goad, from para-¹ (intensifier) + oxunein to sharpen, from oxus sharp

ˌparoxˈysmal, ˌparoxˈysmic adjective