convulse

/kənˈvʌls/

Etymology

From Latin convulsus, past participle of convellere (“to pluck up, dislocate, convulse”), from com- (“together”) + vellere (“to pluck, pull”). Doublet of convel.

convulse means To suffer violent involuntary contractions of the muscles, causing one's body to contort. Lexicurio rates it Rare gem — a strength score of 76 out of 100.

Why this word is great

CONVULSE — [Verb] To suffer or cause violent, involuntary contractions of the muscles, or to be shaken by a paroxysm such as laughter or upheaval. From Latin convulsus, past participle of convellere ("to tear loose, pull violently"), from com- ("together, thoroughly") + vellere ("to pluck, pull, tear"). Unlike "tremble," which suggests a fine, sustained quiver of fear or chill, or "spasm," which denotes a single, sudden clench, to convulse is to be thoroughly and repeatedly torn from one’s own composure. It is the body racked by a fever’s misfires, the ground heaving under seismic laughter, a nation gripped by the throes of rebellion. A convulsion is the self, briefly and terribly, coming unstitched.

verb

To suffer violent involuntary contractions of the muscles, causing one's body to contort.“He realized she was crying. He could feel her body convulsing with little sobs and her cheek was wet where it brushed his.”
To be beset by political or social upheaval.“The Persian Empire was convulsing with intrigue, revolt, and civil war.”
To cause (someone) to suffer such contractions, especially as a result of making them laugh heartily.“But while he was convulsing all London with laughter, he was fast falling a victim to consumption.”
To cause disruption to.“For Lucifer, as Lord of Fire, was thought to suffer the most terrible pangs whenever the element of fire, over which he presided, was convulsed or agitated.”