spastic
spastic — adjective
- spasticpositive
- more spasticcomparative
- most spasticsuperlative
1. describes a muscle or a muscle movement that becomes suddenly tight, stiff, or h
describes a muscle or a muscle movement that becomes suddenly tight, stiff, or hard to relax, often because of damage to the brain or nerves that control movement
After his stroke, Mr. Chen's left arm showed spastic movements that he could not control.
spastic + noun (movements, muscles) in clinical descriptions
The physiotherapist showed Linh how daily stretches could ease the spastic muscles in her calf.
Dr. Okafor prescribed a muscle relaxant to reduce spastic contractions in Niran's injured arm.
After a car accident, weekly therapy sessions relaxed the spastic muscles in Emre's right hand.
The child's spastic muscle movements made it very hard for him to hold a pencil steadily.
用法筆記
Most often used in medical contexts to describe muscles affected by conditions such as stroke, cerebral palsy, or spinal cord injury.
常見錯誤
2. describes a medical condition in which a person's muscles stay tight or contract
describes a medical condition in which a person's muscles stay tight or contract suddenly and the person cannot control those movements
Cerebral palsy is one of the most common spastic conditions affecting children worldwide.
spastic + condition / syndrome / disorder
The children's hospital in Taipei treats spastic disorders caused by oxygen loss during birth.
Hassan was born with a spastic syndrome that affects the muscles in both of his legs.
Botulinum toxin injections helped Zola walk more easily despite her spastic diplegia.
Doctors diagnosed the baby with a spastic form of cerebral palsy shortly after birth.
- spasmodic
describes movements that come and go suddenly, more general than spastic
- convulsive
describes violent, uncontrolled muscle shaking, usually during a seizure
用法筆記
Followed by a noun that names the condition (e.g. spastic paralysis, spastic diplegia, spastic syndrome). The word is still used in clinical diagnosis but is being replaced by more precise terms in patient-facing communication.
常見錯誤
3. used as a vicious insult for someone whose movements or behaviour seem strange,
used as a vicious insult for someone whose movements or behaviour seem strange, awkward, or uncontrolled — never say this word
Otis shouted spastic at a teammate who missed the goal, so the coach made him apologise.
shows real-world insult scenario and immediate consequence
The teenager was suspended for shouting the word spastic as an insult at a classmate with a disability.
Adina heard a stranger use the word spastic to mock an elderly man's slow walk across the street.
The British charity Scope has run campaigns condemning the use of spastic as a casual insult.
Lucía explained to her younger brother why calling a clumsy friend spastic is wrong and hurtful.
用法筆記
NEVER use this word. It causes serious emotional harm to people with disabilities and their families. The offence comes from using a medical term for a movement disorder as a general insult for clumsiness or strangeness. Alternatives: awkward, clumsy, uncoordinated.
常見錯誤
4. a term that doctors no longer use for someone affected by cerebral palsy; it was
a term that doctors no longer use for someone affected by cerebral palsy; it was once a clinical label but today it is considered a deeply offensive word
In the past, doctors used the term spastic to describe children born with cerebral palsy.
historical medical usage: no longer acceptable
Dr. Nakamura paused at the word spastic in a 1962 neurology textbook she was cataloguing.
historical medical usage shown through specific person and year
Owen was surprised to find the word spastic in an old medical textbook from the nineteen fifties.
Charities for people with cerebral palsy have campaigned for years to stop all use of the word spastic.
Reema's grandmother still uses the word spastic, not realising how offensive it has become in modern society.
用法筆記
This is the sense that changed most dramatically in social acceptability. Originally a clinical term (from the 1950s–1980s), it is now avoided in both medical and everyday language. Modern alternatives: 'person with cerebral palsy' or 'someone who has cerebral palsy.'
常見錯誤
spastic — noun
- spasticsingular
- spasticsplural
1. a label formerly used in medicine for someone living with cerebral palsy, but no
a label formerly used in medicine for someone living with cerebral palsy, but now regarded as an unacceptable and deeply hurtful slur
In the past, people with cerebral palsy were unfairly labelled as spastics by doctors and society.
historical context: word used as a label, now unacceptable
Salma learned that doctors once labelled her grandfather a spastic, now considered a deeply offensive term.
personal/family story connects historical medical usage to real harm
Nila told her classmates that calling someone a spastic was harmful, and some looked uncomfortable.
The World Health Organization advises doctors never to use spastic as a noun for any patient.
Tamás read an old medical report that referred to patients as spastics, which shocked him greatly.
用法筆記
Never use this word as a noun to describe a person. The correct modern phrasing is 'person with cerebral palsy' or 'someone who has cerebral palsy.' Even quoting this word in a neutral context requires sensitivity.
常見錯誤
2. a taboo slur directed at someone regarded as unintelligent, awkward, or odd in t
a taboo slur directed at someone regarded as unintelligent, awkward, or odd in their movements — never use this term
Children sometimes use the word spastic as a general insult, not understanding how deeply offensive it is.
meta-comment about inappropriate use
The teacher explained why calling a classmate a spastic for making a mistake is unacceptable and hurtful.
A public education campaign tried to stop young people from using spastic to mean a stupid or clumsy person.
Sayaka felt very upset when she heard someone being called a spastic just for dropping a lunch tray.
Xiu was suspended after calling a teammate a spastic at the relay race and had to apologise publicly.
用法筆記
This sense is a generalised insult unrelated to any actual medical condition. It is particularly common among schoolchildren but causes serious offence. Alternatives: silly, annoying, clumsy, or describe the behaviour directly without name-calling.