CONVULSE

convulse

(verb) be overcome with laughter

convulse

(verb) make someone convulse with laughter; “The comedian convulsed the crowd”

convulse

(verb) contract involuntarily, as in a spasm; “The muscles in her face convulsed”

convulse

(verb) cause to contract; “The spasm convulses her facial muscles”

convulse

(verb) shake uncontrollably; “earthquakes convulsed the countryside”

convulse, thresh, thresh about, thrash, thrash about, slash, toss, jactitate

(verb) move or stir about violently; “The feverish patient thrashed around in his bed”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Verb

convulse (third-person singular simple present convulses, present participle convulsing, simple past and past participle convulsed)

(transitive) To violently shake or agitate.

(transitive) To create great laughter.

(intransitive) To suffer violent involuntary contraction of the muscles, producing contortions of the body or limbs.

Source: Wiktionary


Con*vulse", v. t. [imp. & p.p. Convulsed; p.pr. & vb.n. Convulsing.] Etym: [L. convulsus, p.p. of convellere to tear up, to shake; con- + vellere to pluck, pull.]

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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

26 April 2025

PYROELECTRICITY

(noun) generation of an electric charge on certain crystals (such as tourmaline) as a result of a change in temperature


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Coffee Trivia

Plain brewed coffee contains almost no calories, while coffee with dairy products, sugar, and other flavorings is much higher in calories. An espresso has 20 calories. A nonfat latte has 72, while a flavored one has 134.

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