convulsions
[/kənˈvʌlʃənz/]
nounpl: convulsions
convulsões
1. involuntary and violent contractions of the muscles of the body
The patient experienced severe convulsions during the seizure.
O paciente sofreu convulsões severas durante a crise convulsiva.
2. violent social or political upheaval or disturbance
The country was in convulsions due to the civil unrest.
O país estava em convulsão devido à agitação civil.
3. uncontrollable laughter or emotional outbursts
She was in convulsions of laughter at the comedy show.
Ela estava em convulsões de riso no espetáculo de comédia.
In medical contexts across both Brazil and the USA, 'convulsions' is a clinical term commonly used in emergency rooms and hospitals. In colloquial usage, particularly in Brazilian Portuguese, the word may be used metaphorically to describe intense laughter or extreme political/social disturbances. The term carries seriousness in medical discussions but can be used humorously in everyday speech when describing uncontrollable laughter.
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