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Webster 1913 Edition


Convulsion

Con-vul′sion

,
Noun.
[L.
convulsio
: cf. F.
convulsion
.]
1.
(Med.)
An unnatural, violent, and unvoluntary contraction of the muscular parts of an animal body.
2.
Any violent and irregular motion or agitation; a violent shaking; a tumult; a commotion.
Those two massy pillars,
With horrible
convulsion
, to and fro
He tugged, he shook, till down they came.
Milton.
Syn. – Agitation; commotion; tumult; disturbance.

Webster 1828 Edition


Convulsion

CONVULSION

,
Noun.
[L.]
1.
A preternatural, violent and involuntary contraction of the muscular parts of an animal body.
2.
Any violent and irregular motion; tumult; commotion; as political convulsions.

Definition 2024


convulsion

convulsion

See also: convulsión

English

Noun

convulsion (plural convulsions)

  1. (medicine) An intense, paroxysmal, involuntary muscular contraction.
  2. An uncontrolled fit, as of laughter; a paroxysm.
  3. Violent turmoil.
    Earthquakes and convulsions of nature shake Earth on a regular basis.
    • 2013 June 18, Simon Romero, "Protests Widen as Brazilians Chide Leaders," New York Times (retrieved 21 June 2013):
      In a convulsion that has caught many in Brazil and beyond by surprise, waves of protesters denounced their leaders for dedicating so many resources to cultivating Brazil’s global image by building stadiums for international events, when basic services like education and health care remain woefully inadequate.

Related terms

Translations


French

Noun

convulsion f (plural convulsions)

  1. convulsion

Norman

Etymology

From Latin convulsiō, convulsiōnem.

Noun

convulsion f (plural convulsions)

  1. (Jersey) convulsion