First Known Use: 1614
Dictionary
convulse
verb con·vulse \kən-ˈvəls\
medical : to have an experience in which the muscles in your body shake in a sudden violent way that you are not able to control : to experience convulsions
: to affect (someone or something) suddenly and violently
con·vulsedcon·vuls·ing
Full Definition of CONVULSE
transitive verb
: to shake or agitate violently; especially : to shake with or as if with irregular spasms <was convulsed with laughter>
intransitive verb
: to become affected with convulsions
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Origin of CONVULSE
Latin convulsus, past participle of convellere to pluck up, convulse, from com- + vellere to pluck — more at vulnerable
Related to CONVULSE
Synonym Discussion of CONVULSE
shake, agitate, rock, convulse mean to move up and down or to and fro with some violence. shake often carries a further implication of a particular purpose <shake well before using>. agitate suggests a violent and prolonged tossing or stirring <an ocean agitated by storms>. rock suggests a swinging or swaying motion resulting from violent impact or upheaval <the whole city was rocked by the explosion>. convulse suggests a violent pulling or wrenching as of a body in a paroxysm <spectators were convulsed with laughter>.
Other Medicine Terms
CONVULSING Defined for Kids
convulse
verb con·vulse \kən-ˈvəls\
con·vulsedcon·vuls·ing
Definition of CONVULSE for Kids
: to shake violently or with jerky motions <I convulsed with laughter.>
Medical Dictionary
convulse
verb con·vulse \kən-ˈvəls\
con·vulsedcon·vuls·ing
Medical Definition of CONVULSE
transitive verb
: to shake or agitate violently; especially : to shake or cause to shake with or as if with irregular spasms <was convulsed with pain>
intransitive verb
: to become affected with convulsions <some children will inevitably convulse when fever reaches a high point—H. R. Litchfield & L. H. Dembo>
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