| 释义 |
spasmodic, a. and n.|spæzˈmɒdɪk|
[ad. med. or mod.L. spasmodicus, f. Gr. σπασµώδης, f. σπασµός or σπάσµα: see spasm n. So F. spasmodique, It. spasmodico, Sp. and Pg. espasmodico.]
A. adj.
1. Of the nature of a spasm; characterized by spasms or convulsive twitches; marked by jerkiness or suddenness of muscular movement.
a. spec. in Path.
1681tr. Willis's Rem. Med. Wks. Vocab., Spasmodic, belonging to the cramp or convulsion, or hauling of the sinews. 1728Chambers Cycl. s.v., Hunger..is a Spasmodic Affection of the Fibres of the Stomach. 1786Miss Clayton in Corr. Mrs. Delany (1862) Ser. ii. III. 415 Mrs. Clayton..is extremely ill with spasmodic convulsions on her lungs. 1799Med. Jrnl. II. 155 An attorney..was during several days afflicted..with spasmodic colics. 1811A. T. Thomson Lond. Disp. (1818) 101 The use of ipecacuan in spasmodic asthma. 1842Combe Digestion 334 This actually happens in spasmodic cholera. 1878T. Bryant Pract. Surg. I. 591 Spasmodic stricture is usually met with in the young.
b. In general use.
1836–7Dickens Sk. Boz (1850) 199/1 He had..a somewhat spasmodic expression of countenance. 1851Carpenter Man. Phys. (ed. 2) 606 Sometimes..the spasmodic action occurs in the pronunciation of vowels, and continuous consonants. 1884Marshall's Tennis Cuts 191, I was startled by his firing at me, as it were a series of spasmodic winks.
2. Employed against spasms; antispasmodic.
1728Chambers Cycl., Spasmodic, something belonging to a Spasma, or Convulsion; as a Spasmodic Medicine.
3. Occurring or proceeding by fits and starts; irregular, intermittent; not sustained or kept up.
1837Carlyle Fr. Rev. i. ii. iii, But indeed may we not regret that such conflict..should usually be so spasmodic? 1856Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) II. viii. 243 Acquiescence in disorder would be followed by a spasmodic severity. 1874Stubbs Const. Hist. I. vii. 199 The spasmodic efforts of the Northumbrian Danes were checked.
4. Convulsively furious or violent.
1840Carlyle Heroes (1858) 288 A noble strength, very different from spasmodic violence. 1866R. W. Dale Disc. Spec. Occasions x. 334 They mistake spasmodic vehemence for strength.
5. Agitated, excited; emotional, high-strung; given to outbursts of excitement; characterized by a disjointed or unequal style of expression.
Spasmodic School, a name given by W. E. Aytoun to a group of poets chiefly represented by Alexander Smith, Philip James Bailey, and Sydney Dobell.
1832Carlyle Let. 28 Aug. (1977) VI. 211 Were I of the spasmodic School, I could gnash my teeth, now and then, over such a banishment: but..I reflect rather what deluges of Folly and Falsehood I stand safe from. 1848Dickens Dombey i, Miss Tox immediately became spasmodic. 1854Aytoun in Blackw. Mag. May 534/1 Let us see what is the practice of the poets of the Spasmodic School. 1865Cornh. Mag. May 640 We would..ask them if they would not desire to see their daughters brought up in a simpler, less spasmodic..and morbid way?
absol.1861Reade Cloister & H. lxi, I would be prose laureat, or professor of the spasmodic, or something, in no time.
B. n.
†1. pl. (See quot.) Obs.—0
1704J. Harris Lex. Techn. I, Spasmodicks, are Medicines against Convulsions.
2. pl. Spasmodic utterances or ejaculations.
1865Sat. Rev. 11 Nov. 617 Mr. Porter's heroics and spasmodics are only excusable on the supposition that they are intended for a class of readers..who rejoice in Watts's Divine and Moral Songs. |