convulse

(kən vuls′)

Origin: < L convulsus, pp. of convellere, to tear loose < com-, together + vellere, to pluck: see revulsion

See convulse in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb con·vulsed, con·vuls·ing, con·vuls·es

verb, transitive

To shake or agitate violently: tremors that convulsed the countryside; when civil war convulsed the nation. See Synonyms at agitate.
To affect with irregular and involuntary muscular contractions; throw into convulsions.
To cause to shake with laughter or strong emotion.

verb, intransitive

To become affected by or as if by convulsions; shake.

Origin:

Origin: Latin convellere, convuls-, to pull violently

Origin: : com-, intensive pref.; see com-

Origin: + vellere, to pull

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