What is the Latin word for spasm?

The usual Latin words for “spasm” are spasmus, tentō, corripiō; also Scrībōnius, iactō, labōrō. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“spasm” in Latin

spasmuscramp, convulsion, spasm tentōto handle, touch; to try, test, tempt corripiōto seize or snatch up, catch, lay violent hands on, take hold of, grasp quickly; to hurry up, hasten, set up quickly; to ScrībōniusGaius Scribonius Curio, a Roman statesman and orator; Scribonius Largus, a Roman physician iactōto throw, cast, hurl; to scatter, toss; to disturb, disquiet, torment, agitate, shock labōrōto toil, labor, work; to endeavor, strive; to suffer, be oppressed, be afflicted with

The English word spasm itself goes back to Latin spasmus.

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

spasm

spasmus (Plin.): distentio nervorum (as a translation of the Greek word, Cels.). To be seized with spasms, spasmo convelli, tentari, corripi. To suffer from spasms, spasmo vexari (Scribonius, Larg.), jactari, laborare.

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for spasm?: The usual Latin words for “spasm” are spasmus, tentō, corripiō; also Scrībōnius, iactō, labōrō. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.