[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/paroxysm/)

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# paroxysm

noun (a paroxysm, paroxysms)

«paroxysm» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A sudden, strong burst of a feeling or action that you cannot control: «a paroxysm of laughter», «a paroxysm of rage». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/paroxysm/#m1)
2. (medicine) A sudden attack or worsening of an illness, such as a fit of coughing. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/paroxysm/#m2)

### In the lessons

In stories this word shows a character overcome: Toad has paroxysms of joy and rage in The Wind in the Willows. In medicine, whooping cough causes paroxysms of coughing.

### Examples

- The children fell into paroxysms of laughter. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/paroxysm/#x1)
- Toad flew into a paroxysm of rage. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/paroxysm/#x2)
- A paroxysm of coughing shook the old man. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/paroxysm/#x3)
- She was seized by a paroxysm of fear. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/paroxysm/#x4)
- The joke sent the class into paroxysms. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/paroxysm/#x5)
- Whooping cough brings paroxysms of coughing. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/paroxysm/#x6)

### Note

Pronounced PA-rok-sizm. Usually followed by «of». Similar: fit, outburst, spasm.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «paroxysm» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/paroxysm/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«paroxysm» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/paroxysm.html) on Mova free.