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NOUN: 1. The forcible tearing away of a body part by trauma or surgery. 2. The sudden movement of soil from one property to another as a result of a flood or a shift in the course of a boundary stream.

ETYMOLOGY: Latin āvellere, āvuls-, to tear off : ā-, ab-, away; see ab–1 + vellere, to pull.

NOUN: 1. An intense, paroxysmal, involuntary muscular contraction. 2. An uncontrolled fit, as of laughter; a paroxysm. 3. Violent turmoil: “The market convulsions of the last few weeks have shaken the world” (Felix Rohatyn).

ETYMOLOGY: Latin convellere, convuls-, to pull violently : com-, intensive pref.; see com– + vellere, to pull.

NOUN: 1. A sudden strong change or reaction in feeling, especially a feeling of violent disgust or loathing. 2. A withdrawing or turning away from something. 3. Medicine Counterirritation used to reduce inflammation or increase the blood supply to the affected area.

ETYMOLOGY: Latin revulsiō, revulsiōn-, from revulsus, past participle of revellere, to tear back : re-, re- + vellere, to tear.