kənˈvəlshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle French or Latin; Middle French convulsion, from Latin convulsion-, convulsio, from convulsus + -ion-, -io -ion
1.
a. obsolete : spasmodic contraction of the muscles : cramp
b. : an unnatural, violent, and involuntary contraction or series of contractions of the muscles — often used in plural
a patient suffering from convulsions
2. obsolete : wrenching, tearing
3.
a. : a forceful wrenching, distorting, or upheaving seismic action
the convulsions which physical nature has always in reserve …, earthquakes of Lisbon, eruptions of Mount Pelée — Samuel Alexander
b. : a period of violent social or political stress, strain, surging action, and confusion
the vast social convulsions of a continent in travail — Reinhold Niebuhr
c. : an uncontrolled fit : a powerful emotional upheaval
a convulsion of grief and anger
: paroxysm
convulsions of sobbing — Joseph Conrad
literally throwing themselves down on the ground in convulsions of unholy mirth — Rudyard Kipling
Synonyms: see commotion