Convulsed Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ค
convulsed
[kษnหvสlst ]
Definitions
medical condition
To convulse means to experience involuntary muscle contractions, often resulting in violent shaking or spasms. This can occur in various medical scenarios, such as seizures, and may require immediate attention.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The patient convulsed during the seizure.
- She began to convulse after the sudden shock.
- He convulsed in pain after the injury.
emotional reaction
In a more figurative sense, to convulse can mean to shake or experience intense emotional turmoil, often in response to distressing news or events. This usage conveys a sense of overwhelming reaction.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The community convulsed in grief after the tragedy.
- Her heart convulsed at the thought of losing him.
- The nation convulsed with outrage over the incident.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Origin of 'convulsed'
The word 'convulse' derives from the Latin 'convulsus', the past participle of 'convellere', meaning 'to pull or tear away'. The roots of 'convellere' are 'com-' which implies 'together' or 'with', and 'vellere', which means 'to pull'. This indicates a forceful or violent pulling apart. The term entered the English language in the late 16th century, initially used in the medical context to describe seizures and similar bodily reactions. Over time, its usage expanded metaphorically, describing not only physical convulsions but also intense emotional disturbances. The evolution of its meaning reflects both a literal and figurative engagement with the idea of being shaken or torn from a state of normalcy.