Cramp is a sudden strong pain caused by a muscle suddenly contracting. You sometimes get cramp in a muscle after you have been making a physical effort over a long period of time. Hillsden was complaining of cramp in his calf muscles She started getting stomach cramps this morning
prevent the progress or free movement of; "He was hampered in his efforts by the bad weather"; "the imperilist nation wanted to strangle the free trade between the two small countries"
A rectangular frame, with a tightening screw, used for compressing the joints of framework, etc
A piece of wood having a curve corresponding to that of the upper part of the instep, on which the upper leather of a boot is stretched to give it the requisite shape
A paralysis of certain muscles due to excessive use; as, writer's cramp; milker's cramp, etc
a strip of metal with ends bent at right angles; used to hold masonry together a clamp for holding pieces of wood together while they are glued secure with a cramp; "cramp the wood
If someone or something cramps your style, their presence or existence restricts your behaviour in some way. Like more and more women, she believes marriage would cramp her style. Painful, involuntary, sustained contraction of muscle in limbs or some internal organs. Causes may be neurological, reflex, or psychological. Common muscle cramps include swimmer's cramp from overexertion in cold water, heat cramps from loss of salt in sweat, leg cramps, and occupational (e.g., writer's) cramp. Menstrual cramps are uterine muscle contractions before or during menstruation. Cramps occur in diseases including parkinsonism and Huntington chorea. Tetany is severe cramping noticed first in limb muscles
Painful, often spasmodic, uncontrollable tightening of a muscle (e g the calf), usually relieved by pulling the end of the affected part (e g the foot) in the opposite direction, stretching the injured muscle
Involuntary tensing of muscles in dialysis, usually due to excess removal of fluid, can be remedied with sodium profiling, dextrose or quinine prior to treatment