a. and sb. [ad. Gr. ἀντισπαστικ-ός able to draw away: see prec. and -IC.] A. adj.
1. Med. Tending to divert or counteract.
1541. R. Copland, Guydon’s Quest. Chirurg. Blode lettynge … is somtyme antyspatyc, that is to say dyuersyue … as the flux of blode at the nose of the ryght nosethrylle, is restraynte by the bledynge of the ryght arme.
1853. Mayne, Exp. Lex., Antispastic.
2. Pros. Consisting of, or containing, antispasts.
1811. Edin. Rev., XVIII. 156. The first metre discussed is the Antispastic.
1860. J. W. Donaldson, Lat. Gr. (1867), § 264. Antispastic rhythm … is not used by Latin poets.
B. sb. Med. An antispastic agent.
1719. Glossogr. Nova, Antispasticks, medicines that divert Distempers to other parts.
