convulsionary, a. and n.
(kənˈvʌlʃənərɪ)
[f. convulsion + -ary: cf. F. convulsionnaire.]
A. adj. Pertaining to, of the nature of, affected with, or marked by, convulsion (lit. and fig.).
| 1798 W. Taylor in Monthly Rev. XXV. 515 The Abbé Winckelmann..has formed a school of declamatory connoisseurs, who ape his convulsionary extasies. 1815 Scott Guy M. liv, After one or two desperate and almost convulsionary struggles. 1861 Craik Hist. Eng. Lit. I. 140 This..gives it also much more of a sudden and convulsionary character. 1873 Lowell Among my Bks. Ser. ii. 210 Whatever was convulsionary and destructive in politics. |
b. Pertaining to the Convulsionaries: see B.
| 1814 tr. Voltaire's Candid. i. xxi. 107, I have been acquainted with the scribbling mob, the caballing mob, and the convulsionary mob. 1859 All Y. Round No. 28. 32 The Revivals in Ireland seem to be nowise different to the Convulsionary movement. 1874 J. H. Blunt Dict. Sects s.v., The hold which the Convulsionary delusion had on the popular mind was considerable. |
B. n. One of a number of fanatics in France in the 18th century, who fell into convulsions and extravagances, supposed to be accompanied by miraculous cures, at the tomb of a Jansenist named Fran{cced}ois de Pâris, in the cemetery of St.-Médard near Paris. (Also in Fr. form convulsionnaire.)
| 1741 tr. D'Argen's Chinese Lett. x. 59 The Convulsionaries have Fits of Madness; some leap and dance, without Rule and Cadence; others throw themselves flat along, and tumble upon the Floor. 1859 All Year Round No. 28. 31 The Convulsionnaires, who..flung themselves into cataleptic fits before the tomb of the Archdeacon Paris. 1877 Morley Crit. Misc. Ser. ii. 86 The paroxysms of Jansenist convulsionaries, or the hysterics of Methodist negroes. |