This is the fourth sample article that conforms to the writing section requirements of the ECPE (Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English) of the University of Michigan. My first post to deal with articles , explains what needs to be present in the piece of writing candidates compose. Examiners are looking for articles that elaborate on ideas and have solid arguments; are well organized; make use of a wide lexical and grammatical range; have an original ring to them (in other words,
Today's word is one that is found in a near-identical form in many other languages, as it's been borrowed from the Greek word παροξυσμός or the verb παροξύνειν. Simply take a look at these translations:
French
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paroxysme
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Portuguese + Spanish
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paroxismo
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Italian
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parossismo
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Afrikaans
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paroksisme
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Turkish
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paroksizm
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Russian + Ukrainian
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пароксизм (read "paroxism")
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Romanian
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paroxism
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Polish
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paroksyzm
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Meaning
a) random, sudden violent outburst (of emotion, action)
b) sudden recurrence of the symptoms (of a disease); a fit; an attack
Greek origin
In Greek, παροξυσμός means an irritation or severe fit. The verb παροξύνειν means "to irritate" or "sharpen" as the root of the word "oxy" from ὀξύς means "sharp". Even today, when used in the Greek language, οξύ means acid, no doubt in acknowledgment of the sharp taste of acidic foods and the irritants contained in various chemical solutions.
Synonyms
a) convulsion, seizure, spasm, flare-up, outbreak
b) outburst, outpouring, burst, eruption
Examples
1) a paroxysm of rage / of emotion / of laughter
2) a paroxysm of coughing / be caught in the paroxysms of an epileptic seizure