Convulse Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ค
convulse
[kษnหvษlz ]
Definition
medical condition
To convulse means to experience a sudden, violent, and involuntary contraction of the muscles, which can result in shaking or a lack of control over oneโs body movements. This condition is often associated with seizures or other neurological disorders.
Synonyms
shake, shudder, spasm, tremble.
Examples of usage
- He began to convulse after the seizure.
- The patient started to convulse unexpectedly.
- She convulsed with laughter at the joke.
- The child convulsed after taking the medication.
- He appeared to convulse during the intense workout.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Medicine
- Convulsing can be a symptom of medical conditions like epilepsy, leading to uncontrolled shaking.
- Not all convulsions are the same; some may involve jerking of limbs, while others might affect the entire body.
- Treatment for someone who convulses often includes ensuring their safety and managing stressors.
Psychology
- The body can convulse under extreme emotional stress, showcasing a deep connection between the mind and body.
- Panic attacks may lead to symptoms resembling convulsions, highlighting the impact of anxiety on physical health.
- Understanding the triggers of convulsions can help in creating better mental health strategies.
Pop Culture
- Movies sometimes depict convulsions dramatically, often to illustrate a character's intense fear or medical emergency.
- In music, artists have used the concept of convulsing to express overwhelming emotions, making the term metaphorically rich.
- The term appears in various songs and literature to evoke strong imagery of turmoil or chaos.
Physics
- The term can be metaphorically used in physics, such as referring to the convulsing of materials under stress or when heated.
- In a similar vein, seismic activities can be described as the Earth convulsing during an earthquake.
- The concept of convulsion parallels physical reactions in materials when they undergo dramatic changes.
Origin of 'convulse'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Latin 'convulsus', which means 'to shake violently'.
- Related words include 'convulsion' and 'convulsive', sharing the same root meaning.
- The prefix 'con-' suggests 'together' or 'with', while 'vulsus' means 'to pull away'.
The word 'convulse' originates from the Latin 'convulsus', the past participle of 'convellere', which means 'to pull asunder' or 'to overthrow'. The root 'con-' means 'together' and 'vellere' means 'to pull or tear'. The term has been in use since the late 16th century to describe severe muscle contractions or spasms that cause violent movements of the body. Over time, its medical significance has been emphasized, becoming more associated with conditions like epilepsy or other neurological disturbances. In modern usage, the term can also describe less severe involuntary movements caused by laughter or excitement, demonstrating its versatility in both medical and colloquial contexts.