CONVULSION

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does convulsion mean? 

• CONVULSION (noun)
  The noun CONVULSION has 4 senses:

1. a sudden uncontrollable attack

2. violent uncontrollable contractions of muscles

3. a violent disturbance

4. a physical disturbance such as an earthquake or upheaval

  Familiarity information: CONVULSION used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CONVULSION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A sudden uncontrollable attack

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

convulsion; fit; paroxysm

Context example:

convulsions of laughter

Hypernyms ("convulsion" is a kind of...):

attack (a sudden occurrence of an uncontrollable condition)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Violent uncontrollable contractions of muscles

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Hypernyms ("convulsion" is a kind of...):

ictus; raptus; seizure (a sudden occurrence (or recurrence) of a disease)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "convulsion"):

clonus (convulsion characterized by alternating contractions and relaxations)

epileptic seizure (convulsions accompanied by impaired consciousness)

Derivation:

convulse (make someone convulse with laughter)

convulse (contract involuntarily, as in a spasm)

convulse (cause to contract)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A violent disturbance

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

convulsion; turmoil; upheaval

Context example:

the convulsions of the stock market

Hypernyms ("convulsion" is a kind of...):

commotion; disruption; disturbance; flutter; hoo-ha; hoo-hah; hurly burly; kerfuffle; to-do (a disorderly outburst or tumult)

Sense 4

Meaning:

A physical disturbance such as an earthquake or upheaval

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Hypernyms ("convulsion" is a kind of...):

trouble (an event causing distress or pain)

 Context examples 

Head injuries, high fevers, some medical disorders, and certain drugs can cause convulsions.

(Convulsion, NCI Dictionary)

Exposure to DDT mainly affects the nervous system resulting in tremors, dizziness, nausea, incoordination, convulsions and seizures.

(Chlorophenothane, NCI Thesaurus)

Medicine to stop, prevent, or control seizures (convulsions).

(Anticonvulsant Agent, NCI Thesaurus)

A drug or other substance used to prevent or stop seizures or convulsions.

(Anticonvulsant, NCI Dictionary)

These episodes may or may not be associated with loss of consciousness or convulsions.

(Epilepsy, NCI Thesaurus)

In higher concentrations hyssop oil can causes convulsions.

(Hyssop Oil, NCI Thesaurus)

All three of them, the dead woman and the two demented men, retained upon their faces an expression of the utmost horror—a convulsion of terror which was dreadful to look upon.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The human frame could no longer support the agonies that I endured, and I was carried out of the room in strong convulsions.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

Drugs intended to prevent damage to the brain or spinal cord from ischemia, stroke, convulsions, or trauma.

(Neuroprotective Agent, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

Signs and symptoms include an initial period of fever, headaches, and malaise, followed by neck rigidity, hemiparesis, and convulsions.

(Japanese B Encephalitis, NCI Thesaurus)