'Convulse' definitions:

Definition of 'convulse'

From: WordNet
verb
Make someone convulse with laughter; "The comedian convulsed the crowd"
verb
Be overcome with laughter
verb
Move or stir about violently; "The feverish patient thrashed around in his bed" [syn: convulse, thresh, thresh about, thrash, thrash about, slash, toss, jactitate]
verb
Shake uncontrollably; "earthquakes convulsed the countryside"
verb
Cause to contract; "The spasm convulses her facial muscles"
verb
Contract involuntarily, as in a spasm; "The muscles in her face convulsed"

Definition of 'Convulse'

From: GCIDE
  • Convulse \Con*vulse"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Convulsed; p. pr. & vb. n. Convulsing.] [L. convulsus, p. p. of convellere to tear up, to shake; con- + vellere to pluck, pull.]
  • 1. To contract violently and irregulary, as the muscular parts of an animal body; to shake with irregular spasms, as in excessive laughter, or in agony from grief or pain. [1913 Webster]
  • With emotions which checked his voice and convulsed his powerful frame. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To agitate greatly; to shake violently. [1913 Webster]
  • The world is convulsed by the agonies of great nations. --Macaulay.
  • Syn: To agitate; disturb; shake; tear; rend. [1913 Webster]