Convulse definition

kən-vŭls
convulsed convulses convulsing
See word origin
Frequency:
To shake or agitate violently.

Tremors that convulsed the countryside.

verb
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To affect with irregular and involuntary muscular contractions; throw into convulsions.
verb
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To cause to shake with laughter or strong emotion.
verb
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To become affected by convulsions; shake.
verb
1
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To disturb or upset severely.

Strikes and riots convulsed the nation.

verb
1
1
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To be disturbed or upset.

The region convulses with change.

verb
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To shake or disturb violently; agitate.
verb
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To cause convulsions, or spasms, in.
verb
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To cause to shake as with laughter, rage, or grief.
verb
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To affect with or become affected by irregular and involuntary muscular contractions.
verb
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To violently shake or agitate.
verb
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To create great laughter.
verb
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Origin of convulse

  • Latin convellere convuls- to pull violently com- intensive pref. com– vellere to pull

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • For spelling, the -e (on -lse) is so the end is pronounced /ls/, rather than /lz/ as in gulls, and does not change the vowel (‘u’). Compare else, false, pulse.

    From Wiktionary

  • From Latin convulsus, past participle of convellere (“to pluck up, dislocate, convulse”), from com- (“together”) + vellere (“to pluck, pull”)

    From Wiktionary