Convulse

kon-vuls′, v.t. to agitate violently: to affect by spasms.— adj. Convul′sible , subject to convulsion.— n. Convul′sion , any involuntary contraction of the voluntary muscles of the body, esp. such seizures in which the body is thrown into violent spasmodic contractions, the sensibility and voluntary motion being for a time suspended: any violent disturbance.— adjs. Convul′sional , Convul′sionary , pertaining to convulsions.— n.pl. Convul′sionaries , a fanatical sect of Jansenists who sprang up in France about 1730.— adj. Convuls′ive , attended with convulsions: spasmodic.— adv. Convuls′ively .— n. Convuls′ivene . [L. con , inten., and vellĕre , vulsum , to pluck, to pull.]