convulse

[ kuhn-vuhls ]

verb (used with object)

, con·vulsed, con·vuls·ing.

1. to shake violently; agitate.
2. to cause to shake violently with laughter, anger, pain, etc.
3. to cause to suffer violent, spasmodic contractions of the muscles.

convulse

/ kənˈvʌls /

verb

1. tr to shake or agitate violently
2. tr to cause (muscles) to undergo violent spasms or contractions
3. informal.
   introften foll bywith to shake or be overcome (with violent emotion, esp laughter)
4. tr to disrupt the normal running of (a country, etc)

   student riots have convulsed India

Derived Forms

• conˈvulsively, adverb
• conˈvulsiveness, noun
• conˈvulsive, adjective

Other Words From

• con·vulsed·ly adverb
• con·vulsi·ble adjective
• con·vulsi·bili·ty noun
• uncon·vulsed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of convulse¹

First recorded in 1635–45; from Latin convulsus, past participle of convellere “to shatter, tear loose,” equivalent to con- intensive prefix + vul- (variant stem of vellere “to pull, tear”) + -sus, variant of -tus past participle suffix; con-

Word History and Origins

Origin of convulse¹

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

Example Sentences

Lockett began to convulse violently, his head and chest rising up off the gurney multiple times as he called out, “Oh, man.”

From The Daily Beast

A year later, it happened again, causing the emergency medical system to convulse into action once more.

From The Daily Beast

"You positively convulse me, you're so very humorous," said Robinson, without a vestige of a smile.

From Project Gutenberg

When anger, avarice, and concupiscence convulse the peace of thy soul, look up to this star and call on Mary.

From Project Gutenberg

In a moment he could melt a popular audience to tears or convulse it with laughter.

From Project Gutenberg

At that moment he felt an electric thrill convulse her frame, followed by a complete stillness.

From Project Gutenberg

She would be thought asleep were it not for the tremors that periodically convulse her frame.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• shake up
• torment