kənˈvəlsiv, -sēv also -səv adjective
Etymology: French convulsif, from convuls ion + -if -ive
1. : producing or accompanied by convulsion
convulsive disorders
: affected by or having convulsions
convulsive children
: accompanying or resembling convulsion
convulsive motions
2. : resembling convulsion in being violent, sudden, frantic, or spasmodic
the nation … made a convulsive effort to free itself from military domination — T.B.Macaulay
he had a convulsive drive, a boundless and explosive fervor — S.N.Behrman
a convulsive little hug — Agnes S. Turnbull
• con·vul·sive·ly -sə̇vlē, -li adverb
• con·vul·sive·ness -sivnə̇s, -sēv- also -səv- noun -es