convulse Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb make someone convulse with laughter
    • The comedian convulsed the crowd
  2. verb be overcome with laughter
  3. verb move or stir about violently
    thresh about; thrash about; jactitate; thresh; slash; toss; thrash.
    • The feverish patient thrashed around in his bed
  4. verb shake uncontrollably
    • earthquakes convulsed the countryside
  5. verb cause to contract
    • The spasm convulses her facial muscles
  6. verb contract involuntarily, as in a spasm
    • The muscles in her face convulsed

WordNet

Con*vulse" transitive verb
Etymology
L. convulsus, p.p. of convellere to tear up, to shake; con- + vellere to pluck, pull.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Convulsed ; present participle & verbal noun Convulsing
Definitions
  1. To contract violently and irregulary, as the muscular parts of an animal body; to shake with irregular spasms, as in excessive laughter, or in agony from grief or pain.
    With emotions which checked his voice and convulsed his powerful frame. Macaulay.
  2. To agitate greatly; to shake violently.
    The world is convulsed by the agonies of great nations. Macaulay.
    Syn. -- To agitate; disturb; shake; tear; rend.

Webster 1913