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convulse
[ kuhn-vuhls ]
/ kÉnËvÊls /
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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.
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Origin of convulse
First recorded in 1635â45; from Latin convulsus, past participle of convellere âto shatter, tear loose,â equivalent to con- intensive prefix + vul- (variant stem of vellere âto pull, tearâ) + -sus, variant of -tus past participle suffix; see con-
OTHER WORDS FROM convulse
con·vuls·ed·ly, adverbcon·vuls·i·ble, adjectivecon·vuls·i·bil·i·ty, nounun·con·vulsed, adjectiveWords nearby convulse
convolve, convolvulaceous, convolvulus, convoy, convulsant, convulse, convulsion, convulsionary, convulsive, convulsive disorder, Conway
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use convulse in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for convulse
convulse
/ (kÉnËvÊls) /
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, adjectiveconvulsively, adverbconvulsiveness, nounWord Origin for convulse
C17: from Latin convulsus, from convellere to tear up, from vellere to pluck, pull
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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