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
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
23 May 2025
(adverb) showing consideration and thoughtfulness; “he had thoughtfully brought with him some food to share”
The Boston Tea Party helped popularize coffee in America. The hefty tea tax imposed on the colonies in 1773 resulted in America switching from tea to coffee. In the lead up to the Revolutionary War, it became patriotic to sip java instead of tea. The Civil War made the drink more pervasive. Coffee helped energize tired troops, and drinking it became an expression of freedom.
