A neurological condition characterized by involuntary, violent, flinging movements of the limbs, usually caused by damage to the brain.
From Greek 'ballein' meaning to throw, plus the medical suffix '-ism' (a condition or disorder). Coined in the 19th century by physicians describing the symptom pattern.
The medical term 'ballism' is brilliant—Greek physicians 2,000 years ago used 'ballein' (to throw) for projectile motion, and modern doctors borrowed it to describe limbs flinging about uncontrollably.
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