Paroxysm
Paroxysm , noun
[French paroxysme, Greek {not transcribed}, from {not transcribed} to sharpen, irritate; para` beside, beyond + {not transcribed} to sharpen, from {not transcribed} sharp.]
1.
(Medicine) The fit, attack, or exacerbation, of a disease that occurs at intervals, or has decided remissions or intermissions. — Arbuthnot
2.
Any sudden and violent emotion; spasmodic passion or action; a convulsion; a fit.
The returning paroxysms of diffidence and despair.