Spas"mod"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?;; &?; a convulsion + &?; likeness: cf. F.
spasmotique.] 1. (Med.) Of or pertaining to spasm; consisting in spasm;
occuring in, or characterized by, spasms; as, a spasmodic asthma.
2. Soon relaxed or exhausted; convulsive; intermittent; as, spasmodic
zeal or industry.
Spasmodic croup (Med.), an affection of childhood characterized by a
stoppage of brathing developed suddenly and without fever, and produced
by spasmodic contraction of the vocal cords. It is sometimes fatal.
Called also laryngismus stridulus, and childcrowing. -- Spasmodic
stricture, a stricture caused by muscular spasm without structural
change. See Organic stricture, under Organic.
Spas*mod"ic, n. (Med.) A medicine for spasm.
Spas*mod"ic*al (?), a. Same as Spasmodic, a. -- Spas*mod"ic*al*ly (#),
adv.
Spas"tic (?), a. [L. spasticus, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to draw: cf. F.
spastique. See Spasm.] (Med.) Of or pertaining to spasm; spasmodic;
especially, pertaining to tonic spasm; tetanic.
Spas"tic*al*ly (?), adv. Spasmodically.
Spas*tic"i*ty (?), n. 1. A state of spasm.