convulsion [kuh n-vuhl -shuh n]
Examples Word Origin
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. Show More
Origin of convulsion First recorded in
1575–85, convulsion is from the
Latin word
convulsiōn- (stem of
convulsiō ). See
convulse ,
-ion Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for convulsions tremor ,
cramp ,
contraction ,
seizure ,
paroxysm ,
cataclysm ,
turbulence ,
agitation ,
upheaval ,
tumult ,
attack ,
contortion ,
fit ,
throe ,
epilepsy ,
seism ,
disaster ,
shock ,
commotion ,
upturn Examples from the Web for convulsions Contemporary Examples of convulsions 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 .
Only this time, the return fire had a rare twist, one that could produce Washington convulsions .
Historical Examples of convulsions She managed it with difficulty between the convulsions that were rending her.
"You will throw yourself again into convulsions ," said Belinda.
She expired in my arms in convulsions , and my distress was indescribable.
We hurried into Rossetti's room and found him in convulsions .
It is rarely that convulsions cease while a child is actually in the bath.
British Dictionary definitions for convulsions a violent involuntary contraction of a muscle or muscles a violent upheaval, disturbance, or agitation, esp a social one (usually plural) informal uncontrollable laughter I was in convulsions Show More
Derived Forms convulsionary , adjective 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 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
An intense, paroxysmal, involuntary muscular contraction or a series of such contractions. seizure Show More
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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.
