Convulsionism

/kənˈvʌlʃənɪzəm/ noun

Definition

A belief system or religious movement associated with convulsions as divine or spiritual manifestations, or a psychological theory emphasizing sudden violent changes.

Etymology

From convulsion plus the suffix -ism (from Greek -ismos), creating a noun that describes a movement, belief system, or theory centered around convulsions.

Kelly Says

Convulsionism was a real religious movement in 18th-century France where followers believed convulsions were signs of divine presence—historians now study it as a fascinating example of mass religious experience!

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