convulse

Definition

To suffer violent involuntary contractions of the muscles, causing one's body to contort.

Etymology

From Latin convulsus, past participle of convellere (“to pluck up, dislocate, convulse”), from com- (“together”) + vellere (“to pluck, pull”). Doublet of convel.

Example Sentences

• "He realized she was crying. He could feel her body convulsing with little sobs and her cheek was wet where it brushed his."
• "The Persian Empire was convulsing with intrigue, revolt, and civil war."
• "But while he was convulsing all London with laughter, he was fast falling a victim to consumption."

Related Words