convulse

[kuh n-vuhls] /kənˈvʌls/
verb (used with object), convulsed, convulsing.
1.
to shake violently; agitate.
2.
to cause to shake violently with laughter, anger, pain, etc.
3.
to cause to suffer violent, spasmodic contractions of the muscles.
Origin
1635-45; < Latin convulsus past participle of convellere to shatter, tear loose, equivalent to con- con- + vul- (variant stem of vellere to pull, tear) + -sus, variant of -tus past participle suffix
Related forms
convulsedly, adverb
convulsible, adjective
convulsibility, noun
unconvulsed, adjective
Examples from the web for convulse
  • The patient starts to twitch and involuntarily the tongue starts to twitch, and then the whole body starts to convulse.
  • To be sure, fabric can't talk or cause a scandal or convulse the blogosphere.
  • It causes the human digestive tract to convulse causing major diarrhoea.
  • Some animals will chew rapidly, salivate, and convulse.
  • Due to the use of muscle relaxants and anesthesia, the patient does not convulse nor does he or she feel any pain.
  • Thirty seconds after exposure, the patient may begin to convulse.
British Dictionary definitions for convulse

convulse

/kənˈvʌls/
verb
1.
(transitive) to shake or agitate violently
2.
(transitive) to cause (muscles) to undergo violent spasms or contractions
3.
(informal) (intransitive) often foll by with. to shake or be overcome (with violent emotion, esp laughter)
4.
(transitive) to disrupt the normal running of (a country, etc): student riots have convulsed India
Derived Forms
convulsive, adjective
convulsively, adverb
convulsiveness, noun
Word Origin
C17: from Latin convulsus, from convellere to tear up, from vellere to pluck, pull
Word Origin and History for convulse
v.

1640s, transitive; 1680s, intransitive; from Latin convulsus, past participle of convellere (transitive only) "to pull away, to pull this way and that, wrench," hence "to weaken, overthrow, destroy" (see convulsion). Related: Convulsed (1630s); convulsing.

convulse in Medicine

convulse con·vulse (kən-vŭls')
v. con·vulsed, con·vuls·ing, con·vuls·es
To affect with irregular and involuntary muscular contractions; throw into convulsions.