Paroxysm
The word paroxysm was first used in medicine and refers to either a severe fit, attack or a sudden increase or recurrence of symptoms of a disease. It does have a non-medical meaning as well and corresponds to a sudden, violent outburst of an action or emotion.
Origin
The use of the word, which has been around since the early 15th Century, has tapered to a minimum these days after enjoying the highs of the 18th and 19th Centuries.
The word is derived from the Old French paroxysme, Medieval Latin paroxysmus (irritation, fit of a disease) and Greek paroxysmos (irritation, exasperation). The non-medical sense of the word was seen in use from around 1600.
Usage:
His paroxysms of rage are a terrible sight to behold.
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