Convulsion
/kənˈvʌl.ʃən/noun
A sudden, violent, involuntary contraction or spasm of the muscles.
Did you know?Convulsion comes from the same Latin root behind English words like "convulse" and "convolve," all tied to the idea of rolling or twisting violently together.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wel-
“to turn, roll, or bend”
Latin
Latin
volvere
“to roll, turn, or twist”
Late Latin
Latin
convulsio
“a violent shaking or wrenching”
Old French
Old French
convulsion
“a spasm or violent bodily shaking”
Middle English
English
convulsion
“a violent bodily spasm”
Modern English
English
convulsion
“a sudden, involuntary muscular contraction”
Explore more surprising origins