Convulse Definition

kən-vŭls

convulsed, convulses, convulsing

verb

convulsed, convulses, convulsing

To shake or disturb violently; agitate.

Webster's New World

To disturb or upset severely.

Strikes and riots convulsed the nation.

American Heritage

To cause convulsions, or spasms, in.

Webster's New World

To cause to shake as with laughter, rage, or grief.

Webster's New World

To become affected by convulsions; shake.

American Heritage

Synonyms:

Origin of Convulse

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

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

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