Definition of paroxysms:
(n) :
(by extension) (countable) Chiefly followed by of: a sudden outburst of violent activity or feeling; also, the most severe part of an activity or incident; the climax.
(n) :
(countable, medicine) 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.
(n) :
(by extension) (countable, chiefly geology) 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.
(n) :
(by extension) (countable, archaic) An outburst of a violent argument or disagreement.
(n) :
(by extension) (uncountable, rare) Disastrous or sudden change.