clonus

noun

clo·​nus ˈklō-nəs 

: a rapid succession of alternating contractions and partial relaxations of a muscle occurring in some nervous diseases

clonic

ˈklä-nik 

adjective

clonicity

klō-ˈni-sə-tē 

klä-

noun

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek klonos agitation — more at hold

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

clonus

noun

clo·​nus ˈklō-nəs 

: a series of alternating contractions and partial relaxations of a muscle that in some diseases of the central nervous system occurs in the form of convulsive spasms involving complex groups of muscles and is believed to result from alteration of the normal pattern of motor neuron discharge compare tonus sense 2