Search Result for "convulsion": 
Wordnet 3.0

NOUN (4)

1. a sudden uncontrollable attack;
- Example: "a paroxysm of giggling"
- Example: "a fit of coughing"
- Example: "convulsions of laughter"
[syn: paroxysm, fit, convulsion]

2. violent uncontrollable contractions of muscles;

3. a violent disturbance;
- Example: "the convulsions of the stock market"
[syn: convulsion, turmoil, upheaval]

4. a physical disturbance such as an earthquake or upheaval; 



The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Convulsion \Con*vul"sion\, n. [L. convulsio: cf. F. convulsion.]
   1. (Med.) An unnatural, violent, and unvoluntary contraction
      of the muscular parts of an animal body.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Any violent and irregular motion or agitation; a violent
      shaking; a tumult; a commotion.
      [1913 Webster]

            Those two massy pillars,
            With horrible convulsion, to and fro
            He tugged, he shook, till down they came. --Milton.
      [1913 Webster]

            Times of violence and convulsion.     --Ames.

   Syn: Agitation; commotion; tumult; disturbance.
        [1913 Webster]


WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

convulsion
    n 1: a sudden uncontrollable attack; "a paroxysm of giggling";
         "a fit of coughing"; "convulsions of laughter" [syn:
         paroxysm, fit, convulsion]
    2: violent uncontrollable contractions of muscles
    3: a violent disturbance; "the convulsions of the stock market"
       [syn: convulsion, turmoil, upheaval]
    4: a physical disturbance such as an earthquake or upheaval