/i lek"troh keuhn vul"siv, i lek'-/ , Psychiatry.
a treatment for serious mental illnesses, as severe depressive disorders, involving the application to the head of electric current in order to induce a seizure: usually administered after sedatives and muscle relaxants. Abbr.: ECT Also called electroshock . Cf. shock therapy .
[ 1945-50; ELECTRO- + CONVULSIVE ]