What are the root words for paroxysm?

The root word for "paroxysm" is "paroxysmos", which is a Greek word meaning "a sudden attack or outburst".

Here's a breakdown:

* "Par-" is a prefix meaning "beside" or "near"

* "oxys-" means "sharp" or "acute"

* "-mos" is a suffix indicating a state or condition

Therefore, "paroxysm" literally means a state of being "near sharp" or "near acute", which refers to the sudden and intense nature of the attack.