Spasm \Spasm\, n. [F. spasme, L. spasmus, Gr. ?, from ?, ?, to
   draw, to cause convulsion. Cf. Span, v. t.]
   1. (Med.) An involuntary and unnatural contraction of one or
      more muscles or muscular fibers.
      [1913 Webster]

   Note: Spasm are usually either clonic or tonic. In clonic
         spasm, the muscles or muscular fibers contract and
         relax alternately in very quick succession. In tonic
         spasm, the contraction is steady and uniform, and
         continues for a comparatively long time, as in tetanus.
         [1913 Webster]

   2. A sudden, violent, and temporary effort or emotion; as, a
      spasm of repentance.
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   Cynic spasm (Med.) See under Cynic.

   Spasm of the chest. See Angina pectoris, under Angina.
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angina \an*gi"na\ ([a^]n*j[imac]"n[.a] or [a^]n"j[i^]*n[.a]), n.
   [L., fr. angere to strangle, to choke. See anger, n.]
   1. (Med.) Any inflammatory affection of the throat, as the
      quinsy, malignant sore throat, croup, etc., especially
      such as tends to produce suffocation, choking, or
      shortness of breath. [Obs.]
      [1913 Webster + AS]

   2. (Med.) Any spasmodic severe suffocative pain.
      [AS]

   3. (Med.) Angina pectoris.
      [AS]

   Angina pectoris ([a^]n*j[imac]"n[.a] p[e^]k"t[-o]*r[i^]s),
      Chest pain caused by myocardial ischemia precipitated by
      exertion and relieved by rest. It is so called because the
      pain is accompanied by a sense of suffocating contraction
      or tightening of the lower part of the chest; -- called
      also breast pang, spasm of the chest.
      [1913 Webster + AS]