convulse

verb

Etymology: From Latin convulsus, past participle of convellere (“to pluck up, dislocate, convulse”), from com- (“together”) + vellere (“to pluck, pull”). Doublet of convel.

1. To suffer violent involuntary contractions of the muscles, causing one's body to contort.

   “He realized she was crying. He could feel her body convulsing with little sobs and her cheek was wet where it brushed his.”

2. To be beset by political or social upheaval.

   “The Persian Empire was convulsing with intrigue, revolt, and civil war.”

3. To cause (someone) to suffer such contractions, especially as a result of making them laugh heartily.

   “But while he was convulsing all London with laughter, he was fast falling a victim to consumption.”

4. To cause disruption to.

   “For Lucifer, as Lord of Fire, was thought to suffer the most terrible pangs whenever the element of fire, over which he presided, was convulsed or agitated.”