myoclonus

noun

my·​oc·​lo·​nus ˌmī-ˈä-klə-nəs How to pronounce myoclonus (audio)
: irregular involuntary contraction of a muscle usually resulting from functional disorder of controlling motor neurons
also : a condition characterized by myoclonus
myoclonic adjective

Examples of myoclonus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
When movement during sleep gets more elaborate, there may be something else happening besides myoclonus. Jen Rose Smith, CNN, 10 May 2022 Spasticity isn’t the same as a muscle twitch, medically known as myoclonus. Beth Krietsch, SELF, 18 Jan. 2022 Frequent episodes of waking myoclonus can be caused by a disturbance of the brain or spinal cord from inflammation, infections or a toxic reaction to a drug. New York Times, 12 Jan. 2021 Doctors have since diagnosed him with central myoclonus, which causes involuntarily muscle twitches. Adam Ferrise, cleveland, 15 Oct. 2019 Hiccups are a form of myoclonus, as are the sudden jerks or sleep starts experienced before falling asleep. Bulletin Board, Twin Cities, 22 Sep. 2019

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of myoclonus was in 1883

Dictionary Entries Near myoclonus

Cite this Entry

“Myoclonus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/myoclonus. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

myoclonus

noun
my·​oc·​lo·​nus ˌmī-ˈäk-lə-nəs How to pronounce myoclonus (audio)
: irregular involuntary contraction of a muscle usually resulting from functional disorder of controlling motor neurons
also : a condition characterized by myoclonus

More from Merriam-Webster on myoclonus

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!