convulsion
UK[kənˈvʌlʃn]US[kənˈvʌlʃn]
n
A sudden, violent, irregular movement of the body, caused by involuntary contraction of muscles and associated especially with brain disorders such as epilepsy, fever in children, or infectious diseases.
n
A violent social or political upheaval.
Morpheme Breakdown
con
vuls
ion
con
together, with, thoroughly.
vuls
to tear, to pull.
ion
Etymology
The word convulsion originates from the Latin convulsio, which is derived from the verb convellere, meaning "to tear loose, to pull violently." This verb itself is composed of the intensive prefix con- (thoroughly) and vellere (to pluck, pull, or tear). The core imagery is of a violent, wrenching, pulling-apart motion. Over time, this literal sense of being violently torn or shaken was applied metaphorically to the body's involuntary muscular contractions and, later, to severe social disturbances. Thus, the modern meanings retain the original sense of a sudden, forceful, and disruptive pulling or upheaval.
Analysis
Structure: con + vuls + ion
- con: A Latin prefix meaning "together, with, thoroughly."
- vuls: A direct substring from the Latin root vuls-, meaning "to tear, to pull." It is related to the verb vellere (to pluck, to pull).
- ion: A Latin-derived noun suffix indicating an action, process, or state.
Examples
The child had a high fever that led to a convulsion.
The political scandal sent convulsions through the entire government.
The medication is used to control epileptic convulsions.