Middle English Dictionary Entry
paroxism n.
Entry Info
| Forms | paroxism n. |
| Etymology | ML; cp. OF peroxime. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A periodic worsening of a disease, an attack; a sudden recurring fever.
Associated quotations
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)22b/a : Apostemez yn periodez, i. circuites, and in paroxismez, i. accessez..seweþ þe analogie..or proporcioun of þe materiez.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)147b/a : And also stone of þe Reynez is of sikenessez hauyng paroxismez [Ch.(2): feuer; L paroxismum], and þe space of hem is fro a moneþ to a ȝere.
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)133/32 : Kyndes of obtalmyes hauen peryodos, i. termes assignede by kynde, and paroxismos [*Ch.(1): accessez; L paroxismos], i. laboures of þe sekenesse, sewen þe proporcioun of þe materes of þe whiche þai ben made.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. paroxysm.