spasm
noun [ C or U ] uk/ˈspæz.əm/ us/ˈspæz.əm/
抽搐，痉挛
an occasion when a muscle suddenly becomes tighter in a way that cannot be controlled
a muscle/muscular spasm 肌肉抽搐
mainly UK My leg suddenly went into spasm. 我的腿突然抽筋了。
spasm of something （尤指难以控制的）一阵…
a short period of something, especially something that cannot be controlled
a spasm of guilt/coughing/laughing 一阵内疚／咳嗽／大笑
The disease causes spasms of severe coughing.
The city was experiencing regular spasms of violence.
He was prone to frequent spasms of rage.
They jumped up and down in spasms of delight.