Main Entry: spo·rad·ic

Pronunciation: \spə-ˈra-dik\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Medieval Latin sporadicus, from Greek sporadikos, from sporadēn here and there, from sporad-, sporas scattered; akin to Greek speirein to sow — more at sperm

Date: circa 1689

: occurring occasionally, singly, or in irregular or random instances <sporadic protests> <a sporadic disease>

synonyms see infrequent

— spo·rad·i·cal·ly \-di-k(ə-)lē\ adverb