spasm

About 2.33 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. noun A sudden, involuntary contraction of a muscle, a group of muscles, or a hollow organ.

   Jessica went into spasms after eating a peanut.

2. noun A violent, excruciating seizure of pain.
3. noun A sudden and temporary burst of energy, activity, or emotion.
4. verb To produce and undergo a spasm or series of spasms.

Similar words

cramp tic twitch carpopedal spurt chill flurry throe burst tremor

Often followed by

of and in is or may that which was

Word family

spasmed spasming spasms