spasm

n. a sudden, involuntary muscle contraction. It may be continuous or sustained (tonic) or it may alternate between contraction and relaxation (clonic). A spasm may be restricted to a particular body part; for example, a vasospasm involves a blood vessel, and a bronchial spasm involves the bronchi. —spasmodic adj.

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Psychology term of the day

February 24th 2025

silok

n. a culture-bound syndrome found in the Philippines that has symptoms similar to those of latah.