Convulsed

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To undergo violent muscle contractions that result in shaking and might cause concern or fear To experience intense involuntary movements characterized by rapid spasms that can lead to physical distress To manifest acute and uncontrollable twitching or jerking of muscles, typically in a distressing manner
2. Suffered from abrupt, intense muscle contractions causing shaking or uncontrolled movements
3. Went through rapid and forceful muscle jerks that disrupt normal bodily control

Etymology: "Convulsed" is the past tense and past participle of "convulse," so its story is really the story of the verb. That verb comes from Latin "convulsus," the past participle of "convellere," meaning "to pluck up" or "to dislocate." The Latin parts are "com-," meaning "together," and "vellere," meaning "to pluck or pull." Put together, the root image is of something being wrenched violently out of place, which is why a body that shakes uncontrollably is the natural modern sense. The word's sibling is "convel," a doublet that came into English by a different route. Both descend from the same Latin verb, but one arrived more directly and was reshaped by the time it reached English, so the two ended up looking and sounding different while keeping the same core meaning of violent pulling and shaking.

Synonyms: spasmed, trembled

Antonyms: calmed, relaxed