convulsion

American  

[kuhn-vuhl-shuhn] / kənˈvʌl ʃən /

noun

1. contortion of the body caused by violent, involuntary muscular contractions of the extremities, trunk, and head.

2. violent agitation or disturbance; commotion.

3. an outburst of great, uncontrollable laughter.

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convulsion British  

/ kənˈvʌlʃən /

noun

1. a violent involuntary contraction of a muscle or muscles

2. a violent upheaval, disturbance, or agitation, esp a social one

3. informal (usually plural) uncontrollable laughter

   I was in convulsions

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convulsion Cultural  

1. A severe, often violent involuntary contraction of the muscles. Convulsions may be caused by high fevers or poisoning and often accompany such diseases such as epilepsy.

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Other Word Forms

• convulsionary adjective

Etymology

Origin of convulsion

First recorded in 1575–85, convulsion is from the Latin word convulsiōn- (stem of convulsiō ). See convulse, -ion

Example Sentences

Add to that the political convulsions in Haiti from the still-unsolved assassination last month of President Jovenel Moïse, plus the impoverished Caribbean country’s own history of purloined, misused or missing aid.

From New York Times

“The very day I arrived back in the Serengeti, one of our long-term study animals started having convulsions in a very shallow pond,” he remembers.

From New York Times

Not only has it been linked to convulsions, lethargy and disorientation; it can impede researchers' ability to conduct clinical trials.

From Salon

You can feel their pressure encouraging the photographers to look at people with renewed wonder, stripped of outmoded indicators of social standing, vibrant with the static of society’s wider convulsions.

From Washington Post

I was startled by the depth of my sorrow, the convulsion of tears released with each hug.

From Salon

Related Words

• contraction
• cramp
• paroxysm
• seizure
• tremor