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convulsion|kənˈvʌlʃən|
[ad. L. convulsiōn-em, n. of action f. convellĕre (see convulse), or perh. immed. a. F. convulsion (Amyot, 16th c.). The medical sense was already used in L. by Pliny and the medical writers.]
†1. The action of wrenching, or condition of being wrenched. Obs.
1599Nashe Lenten Stuffe Wks. 1883–4 V. 297 The poore fellow so tyrannously handled [on the rack], would rather in that extremitie of conuulsion confesse hee crucified Iesus Christ. 1615Crooke Body of Man 68 The crisping of the haire is as it were a kinde of convulsion. 1671Milton Samson 1649 Those two massy pillars With horrible convulsion to and fro He tugged, he shook. 1825Southey T. Paraguay ii. 37 The lofty Tree..Uptorn with horrible convulsion dread.
†b. fig. A ‘wrench’. Obs.
1685Evelyn Mrs. Godolphin 90 The convulsion was soe sensible to them both that she was forced to give way to her importunities. 1688Shadwell Sqr. Alsatia v. iii. Wks. (1720) 102 It is with some convulsions I am torn from you.
2. Path.
†a. An involuntary contraction, stiffening, or ‘drawing up’ of a muscle, limb, etc.; cramp; tetanus. Obs.
1585H. Lloyd Treas. Health Y viij, A convulsyon after the drynking of hellebore is deadly. 1610Shakes. Temp. iv. i. 260 Goe, charge my Goblins that they grinde their ioynts With dry Convultions, shorten vp their sinewes With aged Cramps. 1655Culpepper Riverius i. v. 24 Spasmus, Cramp, or Convulsion, is an involuntary and continued retraction of the Nerves and Muscles. 1729Arbuthnot in Swift's Lett. (1766) II. 101, I am now so bad of a constant convulsion in my heart. 1760–72tr. Juan & Ulloa's Voy. (ed. 3) II. vii. vii. 90 The common or partial, and the malignant or arched convulsions..those..attacked by the latter sink under it in two or three days.
b. In modern use (usually pl.): An affection marked by involuntary contractions or spasms of the muscles, alternating with relaxation, and producing violent irregular motion and agitation of a limb or of the whole body.
1650Bulwer Anthropomet. 141 Who..fell straight way into a Convulsion and Epileptical fits. 1670Eachard Cont. Clergy 46 It shall not..put you into a fit of a convulsion. 1747Wesley Prim. Physic (1762) 36 One every hour till the Convulsions cease. 1803Med. Jrnl. IX. 532 Convulsion, as an idiopathic disease, has been considered as one of the most frequent to which children are subject. 1861F. Nightingale Nursing 89, I knew a mother whose baby was in great danger one day from convulsions.
c. transf. Violent agitation of the animal frame.
1802M. Edgeworth Moral T. (1816) I. iii. 16 A twitching motion in one of it's hind legs..the convulsion of death. 1826Disraeli Viv. Grey iv. iv. 153 Her voice was choked with the convulsions of her passion. 1857S. Osborn Quedah v. 63 The water..muddy, rendered more so by the splashings and convulsions of the animal.
d. esp. (pl.) A violent fit of laughter.
1735Pope Ep. Arbuthnot 87 Pit, Box, and gall'ry in convulsions hurl'd. 1822Scott Pirate iv, This..set every one present into convulsions of laughter. 1854Emerson Lett. & Soc. Aims, Resources Wks. (Bohn) III. 201 When the orator shakes him into convulsions of laughter.
3. Violent social or political agitation.
1643Prynne Rome's Master-P. (ed. 2) 20 Councells..most meet for the convulsion of the Ecclesiastick, and politick estate of both Kingdoms. 1691Luttrell Brief Rel. (1857) II. 310 Great convulsions were feared in that state. 1769Junius Lett. xi. 47 Wide is the distance between a riot of the populace and a convulsion of the whole kingdom. 1848Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 189 The Exclusion Bill had thrown the nation into convulsions. 1886Morley France 18th C. Crit. Misc. III. 288 If the convulsions of 1789–1794 were due to the revolutionary doctrine.
4. Violent physical disturbance; esp. said of an earthquake or similar phenomenon.
1703Maundrell Journ. Jerus. (1732) 79 As if the Earth had here suffer'd some great convulsion. 1794Sullivan View Nat. II, Earthquakes, volcanos, and convulsions. 1849M. Somerville Connex. Phys. Sc. xxxviii. 456 The geological convulsions of our planet. 1878Huxley Physiogr. 187 If a single convulsion of this kind can thus raise such an amount of solid land.
5. Comb., as convulsion fit.
1657S. W. Schism Dispach't 118 S. Peter's Authority..begins suddenly to feel the cramp and conuulsion-fits. 1748Hartley Observ. Man i. ii. 174 The Convulsion-Fits which happen to young children. 1890Spectator 7 June, The convulsion fits and triumphs of selfish self-will. |