from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Spasm \Spasm\, n. [F. spasme, L. spasmus, Gr. ?, from ?, ?, to
draw, to cause convulsion. Cf. {Span}, v. t.]
1. (Med.) An involuntary and unnatural contraction of one or
more muscles or muscular fibers.
[1913 Webster]
Note: Spasm are usually either clonic or tonic. In clonic
spasm, the muscles or muscular fibers contract and
relax alternately in very quick succession. In tonic
spasm, the contraction is steady and uniform, and
continues for a comparatively long time, as in tetanus.
[1913 Webster]
2. A sudden, violent, and temporary effort or emotion; as, a
spasm of repentance.
[1913 Webster]
{Cynic spasm} (Med.) See under {Cynic}.
{Spasm of the chest}. See {Angina pectoris}, under {Angina}.
[1913 Webster]
from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
angina \an*gi"na\ ([a^]n*j[imac]"n[.a] or [a^]n"j[i^]*n[.a]), n.
[L., fr. angere to strangle, to choke. See {anger}, n.]
1. (Med.) Any inflammatory affection of the throat, as the
quinsy, malignant sore throat, croup, etc., especially
such as tends to produce suffocation, choking, or
shortness of breath. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster + AS]
2. (Med.) Any spasmodic severe suffocative pain.
[AS]
3. (Med.) Angina pectoris.
[AS]
{Angina pectoris} ([a^]n*j[imac]"n[.a] p[e^]k"t[-o]*r[i^]s),
Chest pain caused by myocardial ischemia precipitated by
exertion and relieved by rest. It is so called because the
pain is accompanied by a sense of suffocating contraction
or tightening of the lower part of the chest; -- called
also {breast pang}, {spasm of the chest}.
[1913 Webster + AS]