adj
spastic
SPASTIHK
adj
1
Relating to muscle spasms or a condition causing stiff, jerky movement.
"Spastic paralysis makes some muscles stay rigidly contracted."
noun
1
A person affected by a condition causing spastic paralysis, such as cerebral palsy.
"The term was once used clinically but is now considered offensive."
How to Use Spastic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes muscles that contract stiffly and involuntarily, as seen in some forms of cerebral palsy.
When to use it
Outside strict medical use, this word (and its slang meaning "clumsy" or "erratic") is widely considered offensive and best avoided; use "person with cerebral palsy" or similar in ordinary writing.
Word Forms
more spastic comparative, spastics plural, most spastic superlative
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Etymology
From Greek spastikos, "drawing in" or "pulling tight," the same root that gives us spasm.