Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Paroxysm \Par"ox*ysm\, n. [F. paroxysme, Gr. ?, fr. ? to
   sharpen, irritate; ? beside, beyond + ? to sharpen, from ?
   sharp.]
   1. (Med.) The fit, attack, or exacerbation, of a disease that
      occurs at intervals, or has decided remissions or
      intermissions. --Arbuthnot.

   2. Any sudden and violent emotion; spasmodic passion or
      action; a convulsion; a fit.

            The returning paroxysms of diffidence and despair.
                                                  --South.

Source : WordNet®

paroxysm
     n : a sudden uncontrollable attack; "a paroxysm of giggling"; "a
         fit of coughing"; "convulsions of laughter" [syn: {fit},
         {convulsion}]