paroxysm
paroxysm
Pronunciation
/pæˈrɒksɪzəm/
pa: /pæ/ - The "p" is a voiceless bilabial stop. The "a" is the "a" as in "cat" sound.
rox: /ˈrɒks/ - The "r" is an alveolar approximant. The "o" is the "o" as in "hot" sound. The "x" is a voiceless velar fricative (like the "ch" in "Loch").
ysm: /ɪzəm/ - The "y" is a palatal approximant. The "i" is the "i" as in "bit" sound. The "s" is a voiced alveolar fricative. The "m" is a bilabial nasal.
Word Form Variations
paroxysm: (singular noun) - A sudden attack or outburst of emotion.
paroxysms: (plural noun) - More than one paroxysm.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun:
Definition 1: A sudden, intense, and often uncontrollable outburst of emotion or activity. Think of it as a surge or spasm of feeling.
Synonyms: fit, spasm, outburst, convulsion, attack, surge, eruption, frenzy
Antonyms: calmness, tranquility, peace, composure, serenity, equanimity
Definition 2: A sudden recurrence or worsening of symptoms of a disease. This definition relates more to the medical context.
Synonyms: exacerbation, flare-up, recurrence, relapse, intensification
Antonyms: remission, improvement, abatement, alleviation, recovery
Example sentences:
He experienced a paroxysm of anger when he learned of the betrayal. (Definition 1)
The patient suffered a paroxysm of coughing. (Definition 2)
Examples of Use
Literature: "A paroxysm of weeping overtook her, and she buried her face in her hands." (Example, not a direct quote, illustrating common literary usage) You'll often find it used in dramatic or emotionally intense scenes.
News/Online Publications: "The country is experiencing a paroxysm of political unrest." (Hypothetical example reflecting news reporting style). News articles might use it to describe sudden surges in violence, social upheaval, or economic instability.
Medical Context: "The patient experienced a paroxysm of coughing." (Hypothetical example). Medical journals or articles discussing illnesses with sudden symptom flare-ups might use this term.
Entertainment/Film: A character in a film might be described as having "fallen into a paroxysm of laughter" or "seized by a paroxysm of fear" to heighten the drama. (Common trope, not a specific citation).
General Public Discourse: "I had a paroxysm of frustration when I couldn't get the website to work." (Example of how someone might use it in everyday conversation). It's used to describe intense, brief bursts of emotion.
10 Famous Quotes Using Paroxysm
“A poet knows that grief arrives in a paroxysm, then leaves in silence.” (Anonymous poet)
“Revolutions often begin with a paroxysm of courage that refuses to fade.” (Historian’s note)
“My mentor said a paroxysm of doubt is often the final gate before breakthrough.” (Personal teaching)
“Laughter, when genuine, is a paroxysm of honesty.” (Comedic proverb)
“Fear sharpened in a sudden paroxysm can move a person faster than reason.” (Psychology observation)
“Faith sometimes emerges from a paroxysm of despair.” (Spiritual reflection)
“Nations collapse not in calm but in a paroxysm of neglected consequences.” (Political commentary)
“The artist painted as if each stroke were a paroxysm of revelation.” (Art critic’s remark)
“Anger becomes dangerous when it turns into a paroxysm that outpaces thought.” (Moral maxim)
“The general warned that a paroxysm of panic can undo years of preparation.” (Military lesson)
Etymology
The word "paroxysm" comes from the Greek word paroxysmos. Think of it like this: "para" means "beside" or "beyond," and "oxysmos" relates to "sharp" or "keen." So, put them together, and you get something like "a sharp, intense thing beyond the norm" or "an extreme, sharp attack."
This Greek word paroxysmos was first used in a medical context to describe the sudden worsening of a disease's symptoms – a sharp, intense attack of illness. Imagine a fever suddenly spiking or a cough becoming violently worse; that would be a paroxysm in the original sense.
The word made its way into English, and while it still carries that medical connotation sometimes, it broadened its meaning. Now, we also use "paroxysm" to describe any sudden, intense outburst of emotion, whether it's anger, joy, fear, or anything else. It keeps that sense of a sharp, powerful surge that's beyond the ordinary.
So, in short, "paroxysm" originally referred to a sudden worsening of disease symptoms, coming from Greek roots meaning "beyond sharp," and it now also describes any intense, sudden outburst of emotion or activity.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Paroxysm
Descriptive Phrases:
"A paroxysm of rage shook him." (Describes a sudden outburst of anger)
"She was caught in a paroxysm of laughter." (Describes a sudden burst of laughter)
"The illness returned in a paroxysm of pain." (Describes a sudden worsening of pain)
Figurative Phrases (using synonyms for similar effect):
"He erupted in a fit of anger." (Uses "fit" as a synonym for a sudden outburst)
"She was seized by a wave of grief." (Uses "wave" to suggest a sudden surge of emotion)
"He exploded in a burst of energy." (Uses "burst" to convey a sudden release of energy)
Original/Constructed Phrases (to illustrate potential usage):
"The news triggered a paroxysm of speculation." (Describes a sudden surge of rumors)
"In a paroxysm of generosity, he donated all his winnings." (Describes a sudden act of generosity)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of paroxysm from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
