convulsion

/kənˈvʌlʃən/

/kənˈvʌlʃɪn/

Other forms: convulsions

If you see someone have a convulsion, it can either be scary or funny, depending on whether it's caused by a medical condition or a really funny joke. A convulsion is a jerking, uncontrolled movement.

When a person has a convulsion, it appears as a sudden, violent movement of the body. Convulsions most often happen as a result of a medical condition or illness like epilepsy, but you can also describe a jerky, irregular movement as a convulsion, even if it's caused by hiccups or laughter. A political upheaval or social turmoil can also be called a convulsion, if it's abrupt and violent. The Latin root word is convulsionem, which means "to tear loose."

Definitions of convulsion

1. noun

   violent uncontrollable contractions of muscles
   types:

   clonus

   convulsion characterized by alternating contractions and relaxations

   epileptic seizure

   convulsions accompanied by impaired consciousness

   epilepsia major, generalized seizure, grand mal

   a seizure during which the patient becomes unconscious and has convulsions over the entire body

   epilepsia minor, petit mal

   a seizure of short duration characterized by momentary unconsciousness and local muscle spasms or twitching

   type of:

   ictus, raptus, seizure

   a sudden occurrence (or recurrence) of a disease
2. noun

   a sudden uncontrollable attack
   “convulsions of laughter”

   synonyms: fit, paroxysm

   type of:

   attack

   a sudden occurrence of an uncontrollable condition
3. noun

   a physical disturbance such as an earthquake or upheaval
   type of:

   trouble

   an event causing distress or pain
4. noun

   a violent disturbance
   “the convulsions of the stock market”

   synonyms: turmoil, upheaval

   type of:

   commotion, disruption, disturbance, flutter, hoo-ha, hoo-hah, hurly burly, kerfuffle, to-do

   a disorderly outburst or tumult