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, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for convulsing

British Dictionary definitions for convulsing

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, noun

Word Origin for convulse

C17: from Latin convulsus, from convellere to tear up, from vellere to pluck, pull

Medical definitions for convulsing

convulse
[ kən-vŭls ]

v.

To affect or be affected with irregular and involuntary muscular contractions; throw or be thrown into convulsions.