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. [ 1913 Webster ]

With emotions which checked his voice and convulsed his powerful frame. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To agitate greatly; to shake violently. [ 1913 Webster ]

The world is convulsed by the agonies of great nations. Macaulay.

Syn. -- To agitate; disturb; shake; tear; rend. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. convulsio: cf. F. convulsion. ] 1. (Med.) An unnatural, violent, and unvoluntary contraction of the muscular parts of an animal body. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Any violent and irregular motion or agitation; a violent shaking; a tumult; a commotion. [ 1913 Webster ]

Those two massy pillars,
With horrible convulsion, to and fro
He tugged, he shook, till down they came. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Times of violence and convulsion. Ames.

Syn. -- Agitation; commotion; tumult; disturbance. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Pertaining to, or having, convulsions; convulsionary. [ R. ] Lamb. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. convulsionnaire. ] Pertaining to convulsion; convulsive. “Convulsionary struggles.” Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A convulsionist. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who has convulsions; esp., one of a body of fanatics in France, early in the eighteenth century, who went into convulsions under the influence of religious emotion; as, the Convulsionists of St. Médard. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. convulsif. ] Producing, or attended with, convulsions or spasms; characterized by convulsions; convulsionary. [ 1913 Webster ]

An irregular, convulsive movement may be necessary to throw off an irregular, convulsive disease. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. in a convulsive manner. [ 1913 Webster ]