Convulse Definition
kən-vŭls
convulsed, convulses, convulsing
verb
convulsed, convulses, convulsing
To shake or disturb violently; agitate.
Webster's New World
To disturb or upset severely.
Strikes and riots convulsed the nation.
American Heritage
To cause convulsions, or spasms, in.
Webster's New World
To cause to shake as with laughter, rage, or grief.
Webster's New World
To become affected by convulsions; shake.
American Heritage
Origin of Convulse
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For spelling, the -e (on -lse) is so the end is pronounced /ls/, rather than /lz/ as in gulls, and does not change the vowel (‘u’). Compare else, false, pulse.
From Wiktionary
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From Latin convulsus, past participle of convellere (“to pluck up, dislocate, convulse”), from com- (“together”) + vellere (“to pluck, pull”)
From Wiktionary
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Latin convellere convuls- to pull violently com- intensive pref. com– vellere to pull
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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