convulsion
[kuh n-vuhl-shuh n]
- contortion of the body caused by violent, involuntary muscular contractions of the extremities, trunk, and head.
- violent agitation or disturbance; commotion.
- an outburst of great, uncontrollable laughter.
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Origin of convulsion
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for convulsions
Contemporary Examples
Knocked cold, Lakpa collapsed on the rocks, heaving in convulsions, Kodas wrote.
Symptoms may range from palpitations and severe sweating to paralysis, convulsions, and death.
It will suffer other upsets and reversals, and pass through other convulsions.
Bernard-Henri Lévy on Susan Rice’s Role in the Libyan War for JusticeBernard-Henri Lévy
December 2, 2012
Only this time, the return fire had a rare twist, one that could produce Washington convulsions.
Historical Examples
She managed it with difficulty between the convulsions that were rending her.
The SpendersHarry Leon Wilson
"You will throw yourself again into convulsions," said Belinda.
Tales And Novels, Volume 3 (of 10)Maria Edgeworth
She expired in my arms in convulsions, and my distress was indescribable.
Beaux and Belles of EnglandMary Robinson
We hurried into Rossetti's room and found him in convulsions.
Recollections of Dante Gabriel RossettiT. Hall Caine
It is rarely that convulsions cease while a child is actually in the bath.
The Mother's Manual of Children's DiseasesCharles West, M.D.
convulsion
- a violent involuntary contraction of a muscle or muscles
- a violent upheaval, disturbance, or agitation, esp a social one
- (usually plural) informal uncontrollable laughterI was in convulsions
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for convulsions
convulsion
n.
1580s, from Latin convulsionem (nominative convulsio), noun of action from past participle stem of convellere "to tear loose," from com- "together" (see com-) + vellere "to pluck, pull violently."
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
convulsion
(kən-vŭl′shən)- An intense, paroxysmal, involuntary muscular contraction or a series of such contractions.seizure
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
convulsion
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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The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.