spasm

US /ˈspæz.əm/
UK /ˈspæz.əm/
"spasm" picture
1.

spasme, convulsion

a sudden, involuntary muscular contraction or convulsive movement

:
The sudden cold water caused a spasm in his leg.
L'eau froide soudaine a provoqué un spasme dans sa jambe.
She experienced a painful muscle spasm in her back.
Elle a ressenti un spasme musculaire douloureux dans le dos.
2.

accès, crise

a sudden, brief spell of an activity or emotion

:
He had a sudden spasm of anger.
Il a eu un soudain accès de colère.
The market experienced a brief spasm of volatility.
Le marché a connu un bref accès de volatilité.