1. (

• paroxysm ,
• fit ,
• convulsion ,

) a sudden uncontrollable attack; "a paroxysm of giggling"; "a fit of coughing"; "convulsions of laughter" ;

2. (

• convulsion

) violent uncontrollable contractions of muscles ;

3. (

• convulsion ,
• turmoil ,
• upheaval ,

) a violent disturbance; "the convulsions of the stock market" ;

4. (

• convulsion

) a physical disturbance such as an earthquake or upheaval ;