convulse
[ kuh n-vuhls ]
/ kənˈvʌls /
verb (used with object), con·vulsed, con·vuls·ing.
to shake violently; agitate.
to cause to shake violently with laughter, anger, pain, etc.
to cause to suffer violent, spasmodic contractions of the muscles.
Origin of convulse
1635–45; < Latin
convulsus past participle of
convellere to shatter, tear loose, equivalent to
con-
con- +
vul- (variant stem of
vellere to pull, tear) +
-sus, variant of
-tus past participle suffix
OTHER WORDS FROM convulse
con·vuls·ed·ly, adverb con·vuls·i·ble, adjective con·vuls·i·bil·i·ty, noun un·con·vulsed, adjectiveWords nearby convulse
convolve,
convolvulaceous,
convolvulus,
convoy,
convulsant,
convulse,
convulsion,
convulsionary,
convulsive,
convulsive disorder,
conway
Example sentences from the Web for convulse
British Dictionary definitions for convulse
convulse
/ (kənˈvʌls) /
verb
(tr)
to shake or agitate violently
(tr)
to cause (muscles) to undergo violent spasms or contractions
(intr often foll by with) informal
to shake or be overcome (with violent emotion, esp laughter)
(tr)
to disrupt the normal running of (a country, etc)
student riots have convulsed India
Derived forms of convulse
convulsive, adjective convulsively, adverb convulsiveness, nounWord Origin for convulse
C17: from Latin
convulsus, from
convellere to tear up, from
vellere to pluck, pull
Medical definitions for convulse
convulse
[ kən-vŭls′ ]
v.
To affect or be affected with irregular and involuntary muscular contractions; throw or be thrown into convulsions.