adv. [-LY2.]
1. Path. By means of, with the accompaniment of, a spasm or spasms.
1710. T. Fuller, Pharm. Extemp., 251. The use of this [julep] is indicated … when the Spirits … are spasmodically exploded.
1763. Phil. Trans., LIII. 11. The Temporal and Masseter muscles … were tense, hard, and spasmodically affected.
1814. J. Burns, Princ. Midwifery (ed. 3), 391. The uterus may contract spasmodically.
1879. St. George’s Hosp. Rep., IX. 683. On attempting to take fluids, they passed apparently as far as the œsophagus and were then spasmodically rejected.
2. In a jerky or sudden manner.
1839. Dickens, Nickleby, xl. Poor Noggs … moved spasmodically in his chair.
1864. F. W. Robinson, Mattie, a Stray, III. 114. Bang came Mr. Gray’s hard hand on the counter, startling Maurice Hinchford’s nerves somewhat, and causing innumerable articles in the glass cases thereon to jump spasmodically with the shock.
b. With convulsive effort or violence.
1840. Carlyle, Heroes (1858), 276. A human soul is seen clinging spasmodically to an Ark of the Covenant.
1851. De Quincey, Ld. Carlisle on Pope, Wks. 1859, XIII. 27. Pope obeyed, spasmodically, an overmastering febrile paroxysm.
1880. Flor. Marryat, Fair Alda, II. i. 23. She clung to him spasmodically.
3. By fits and starts; irregularly, intermittently.
1878. Huxley, Physiogr., 190. The steam generally issues spasmodically.
1882. Standard, 30 Dec., 2/2. If rates went up for a few days they did so spasmodically.
1897. Mary Kingsley, W. Africa, 599. The men then gradually go off to sleep, breaking out now and again spasmodically into little rows over a pipe.
