Hypertext Webster Gateway: "convulse"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Convulse \Con*vulse"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Convulsed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Convulsing}.] [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.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
convulse
v 1: make someone convulse with laughter; "The comedian convulsed
the crowd"
2: be overcome with laughter
3: move or stir about violently; The feverish patient thrashed
around in his bed" [syn: {thresh}, {thresh about}, {thrash},
{thrash about}, {slash}, {toss}]
4: cause to contract, as of muscles
5: of muscles
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