Vocabulary word Convulse - Practice with online flashcards, spelling bees and vocabulary quizzes

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Dictionary Definition of convulse

To suddenly and violently move in an involuntary and uncontrollable manner.
"The shock of the cold water made her body convulse with shivers."

Detailed Meaning of Convulse

It can be used to describe a variety of physical reactions, such as muscle spasms, seizures, or shivering. When someone convulses, their body may move rapidly and violently, often causing them to lose control of their movements or fall to the ground. The term "convulse" is often associated with medical conditions or traumatic events, such as seizures or electric shocks. It can also be used in a figurative sense, to describe a sudden and powerful emotional or social upheaval. Overall, the term "convulse" implies a sudden and intense movement or reaction that is difficult to control or predict.

Example Sentences for Convulse

1. The earthquake made the ground convulse beneath our feet.
2. His body began to convulse with laughter at the joke.
3. The patient's seizure caused her to convulse uncontrollably.
4. The sudden shock caused the car to convulse in a collision.
5. She watched in horror as the storm convulsed the ocean waves.
6. The electric shock made his muscles convulse briefly.

Origin and Etymology of Convulse

The verb 'convulse' has its etymological roots in Latin. It is derived from the Latin word 'convulsus,' which is the past participle of 'convellere,' a combination of 'con' (meaning 'together') and 'vellere' (meaning 'to pull' or 'to tear'). In Latin, 'convulsus' was used to describe a violent pulling or tearing apart. As the term evolved and made its way into Middle English and eventually into Modern English, it became 'convulse,' retaining its sense of sudden and violent movement in an involuntary and uncontrollable manner. 'Convulse' is often used to describe physical spasms or seizures. The etymology of 'convulse' effectively conveys its historical association with the idea of forceful and uncontrollable movements, emphasizing its role as a verb used to describe sudden and violent bodily reactions.

Quiz Question - Test Your Understanding

Find the correct meaning of the verb convulse:

soothe

jerk

calm

stabilize

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Correct!

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More Usage Examples of Convulse

1. Fear caused her to convulse with anxiety during the interview.
2. The volcano's eruption made the earth convulse violently.
3. The powerful music made the crowd convulse with energy.
4. His emotional outburst caused him to convulse with anger.
5. The allergic reaction made her body convulse in distress.
6. The horror movie made her convulse in fright.
7. The engine trouble caused the plane to convulse mid-air.
8. The spicy food made his stomach convulse painfully.
9. He couldn't stop himself from convulsing with laughter.
10. The shocking news caused her to convulse with disbelief.
11. The earthquake made the buildings convulse and sway.
12. The roller coaster ride made her stomach convulse with excitement.
13. The cold water made her body convulse in reaction.
14. The virus made him convulse with high fever and chills.
15. The patient's body began to convulse uncontrollably during the seizure.
16. The earthquake caused the ground to convulse beneath our feet.
17. The sound of the explosion made the crowd convulse in panic.
18. The snake's venom caused his body to convulse in pain.
19. The car accident made his body convulse with shock and trauma.
20. The child's fever caused him to convulse with chills and tremors.
21. The news of the tragedy made her body convulse with sobs.
22. The music made the crowd convulse in dance and excitement.
23. The sudden change in plans made his stomach convulse with anxiety.
24. The comedy show made the audience convulse with laughter.
25. The sight of the spider made her body convulse with fear.