cramp
n. C / Un. a sudden, sharp pain in a muscle that becomes very tight and hard. It often happens when you exercise too much or do not drink enough water.
n. a painful, involuntary contraction of a muscle or group of muscles, typically caused by fatigue or strain. Often occurs in the legs or feet during physical activity or sleep.
I got a bad leg cramp while swimming in the pool.
The runner had to stop mid-race because a severe cramp in her calf made it impossible to continue.
Athletes often consume electrolytes to prevent the onset of muscle cramps during high-intensity training sessions in humid conditions.
Etymology tree Proto-Germanic *krampôder. Frankish *krampōder. Proto-Germanic *krampôder. Middle Dutch crampeder. Old French crampebor. Middle English crampe English cramp From Middle English crampe, from Old French crampe (“cramp”), from Frankish krampa (“cramp”), from Proto-West Germanic krampu, from Proto-Germanic *krampō (“cramp, clasp”). Distant relative of English crop.
Countable when referring to a specific instance of pain; uncountable when referring to the general condition.