paroxysm

noun5

1. •
   A period (especially one of several recurring periods) during the course of an illness when symptoms worsen; a sudden attack of a disease symptom, such as a bout of coughing or a seizure.

   • Againe; I feare a paroxisme. — 1605
2. •
   Chiefly followed by of: a sudden outburst of violent activity or feeling; also, the most severe part of an activity or incident; the climax.

   • [I]n his Paroxysms, as he vvalked the Streets, he vvould have his Pockets loaden vvith Stones, to pelt at the Signs. — 1704
3. •
   A violent occurrence of a natural phenomenon, such as an earthquake, thunderstorm, or volcanic eruption; specifically (volcanology), the most explosive event during a series of volcanic eruptions.

   • [T]he Storm had seven Paroxysms or Exacerbations, vvhich the Seamen call Frights of VVeather, […] — 1692
4. •
   (rare) Disastrous or sudden change.

   • It is manifest that the species themselves are but transmutations of one or a few primordial types, and that they have been created not by paroxysm, but by evolution. — 1893
5. •
   (no longer used) An outburst of a violent argument or disagreement.

   • But the greatest contention happening here, vvas that Paroxysme betvvixt Paul and Barnabas, the one as earnestly refusing, as the other desiring the company of John Mark to goe along vvith them. — 1650