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

The remaining two recordings were triggered by sound or motion, but only one suggested that a muscle convulsion, a sign of seizure, had occurred.

From Science Daily • Jan. 4, 2024

In the middle of this convulsion, Ms. de Bonafini’s life was turned upside down.

From New York Times • Nov. 22, 2022

A convulsion has shaken America and many other Western democracies over the past few years.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 13, 2022

The two doctors claim "the typical observation on video are confirmed loss of consciousness, suspected loss of consciousness, convulsion, tonic posturing, balance disturbance/ataxia and clearly dazed".

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2022

He kept hacking into a large checkered handkerchief, and every cough was like a convulsion.

From "The Stranger" by Albert Camus

Related Words

• contraction
• cramp
• paroxysm
• seizure
• tremor