cramp
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1cramp
noun \ˈkramp\Definition of CRAMP
1
: a painful involuntary spasmodic contraction of a muscle
2
: a temporary paralysis of muscles from overuse — compare writer's cramp
3
a : sharp abdominal pain —usually used in plural b : persistent and often intense though dull lower abdominal pain associated with dysmenorrhea —usually used in plural
— crampy \ˈkram-pē\ adjective
Origin of CRAMP
Middle English crampe, from Anglo-French, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch crampe; akin to Old High German krampf bent
First Known Use: 14th century
Other Medicine Terms
2cramp
nounDefinition of CRAMP
1
a : a usually iron device bent at the ends and used to hold timbers or blocks of stone together b : clamp
2
a : something that confines : shackle b : the state of being confined
Origin of CRAMP
Middle English crampe, from Middle Dutch
First Known Use: 15th century
3cramp
verbDefinition of CRAMP
transitive verb
1
: to affect with or as if with a cramp or cramps
2
3
: to fasten or hold with a cramp
intransitive verb
: to be affected with cramps
See Examples of CRAMP
- Writing for such a long time may cramp your hand.
- His leg was cramping so badly he could hardly move it.
- The new regulations may cramp the company's financial growth.
First Known Use of CRAMP
15th century
4cramp
adjectiveDefinition of CRAMP
1
: hard to understand or figure out <cramp law terms> <cramp handwriting>
2
: being cramped <a cramp corner>
First Known Use of CRAMP
1674
cramp
noun (Concise Encyclopedia)Painful, involuntary, sustained contraction of muscle in limbs or some internal organs. Causes may be neurological, reflex, or psychological. Common muscle cramps include swimmer's cramp from overexertion in cold water, heat cramps from loss of salt in sweat, leg cramps, and occupational (e.g., writer's) cramp. Menstrual cramps are uterine muscle contractions before or during menstruation. Cramps occur in diseases including parkinsonism and Huntington chorea. Tetany is severe cramping noticed first in limb muscles.
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