Convulsively

/kənˈvʌlsɪvli/ adverb

Definition

In a way that involves sudden, violent, uncontrolled movements or actions; with convulsive motions.

Etymology

Adverbial form of convulsive, created by adding the -ly suffix to the adjective. The suffix -ly derives from Old English -lice, meaning in the manner of.

Kelly Says

Adding -ly to adjectives to create adverbs is one of English's most productive word-making patterns, and convulsively shows how this ancient mechanism still lets us describe actions vividly—it's more precise than saying 'violently' because it implies loss of control.

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