Definition

1. Noun:
   • A violent, involuntary contraction or series of contractions of the muscles: This is the primary medical meaning, referring to a physical state where muscles contract and relax rapidly and uncontrollably.
   • A violent social or political disturbance: A sudden, violent upheaval or disruption in a system, organization, or society.
   • A sudden, violent, and irregular movement or series of movements: This can refer to physical events like earthquakes or metaphorical disturbances.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Medical):
  • The child had a high fever that led to a convulsion.
  • The patient experienced convulsions as a symptom of the neurological disorder.
• Noun (Social/Political):
  • The revolution caused a major convulsion in the country's government.
  • The market crash sent convulsions through the global financial system.
• Noun (General Disturbance):
  • A convulsion of laughter shook his whole body.
  • The convulsions of the earth during the earthquake were terrifying.

Advanced Usage

• "to be in convulsions": To be laughing uncontrollably.
  • The comedian's joke left the audience in convulsions.
• "convulsion of nature": A violent disturbance in the natural world.
  • The volcanic eruption was a powerful convulsion of nature.

Variants and Related Words

• Convulsive (adj): Relating to or characterized by convulsions; violent and uncontrollable.
  • She made a convulsive effort to stand up.
• Convulse (verb): To suffer violent, involuntary muscle contractions; to shake or disturb violently.
  • The disease can cause the body to convulse.

Synonyms

• Seizure: A sudden attack of illness, especially a stroke or an epileptic fit. (Medical context)
• Spasm: A sudden, involuntary muscular contraction.
• Upheaval: A violent or sudden change or disruption. (Social/Political context)
• Paroxysm: A sudden attack or violent expression of a particular emotion or activity.

Related Phrases

• Fit of convulsions: A sudden occurrence of convulsions.
  • He fell to the ground in a fit of convulsions.
• Political convulsions: Periods of intense political turmoil and change.
  • The century was marked by numerous political convulsions.

Related Idioms

• To throw someone into convulsions: To cause someone to laugh uncontrollably.
  • His hilarious story threw the entire room into convulsions.

Noun

1. a physical disturbance such as an earthquake or upheaval
2. a violent disturbance
   • the convulsions of the stock market
3. violent uncontrollable contractions of muscles
4. a sudden uncontrollable attack
   • a paroxysm of giggling
   • a fit of coughing
   • convulsions of laughter