different between yank vs convulse

English

Etymology 1

Attested since 1822; from Scots yank. Unknown origin.

Pronunciation

• enPR: y?ngk, IPA^(key): /jæ?k/
• Rhymes: -æ?k

Noun

yank (plural yanks)

1. A sudden, vigorous pull (sometimes defined as mass times jerk, or rate of change of force).
2. (slang) A masturbation session.
   • 2012, Bonnie Dee, Summer Devon, Serious Play (page 81)

     He rested his hand on his bare chest, an innocent enough spot, but soon it drifted of its own accord down his stomach to slide beneath the waistband of his briefs. Fine. A quick yank would relieve the sexual tension that simmered in him.

Synonyms

• (sudden, vigorous pull): jerk, tug

Translations

Verb

yank (third-person singular simple present yanks, present participle yanking, simple past and past participle yanked)

1. (transitive) To pull (something) with a quick, strong action.
   • 2015, Elizabeth Royte, Vultures Are Revolting. Here’s Why We Need to Save Them., National Geographic (December 2015)[1]

     Now a white-backed rams its head down the wildebeest’s throat and yanks out an eight-inch length of trachea, ribbed like a vacuum hose.

2. (transitive, informal) To remove from distribution.

   They yanked the product as soon as they learned it was unsafe.

Synonyms

• (pull with a quick strong action): jerk, tug
• (remove from circulation): pull, recall

Derived terms

• yanker
• yank someone's chain

Translations

References

• Douglas Harper (2001–2021) , “yank”, in Online Etymology Dictionary

Etymology 2

Clipping of yankee

Noun

yank (plural yanks)

1. (often derogatory) A Yankee.

Scots

Etymology

Unknown; likely imitative. Compare whang (“a blow”).

Noun

yank (plural yanks)

1. a sudden tug, a jerk, a yank
2. a blow, a slap

Verb

yank (third-person singular present yanks, present participle yankin, past yankt, past participle yankt)

1. to jerk, to pull suddenly
2. to move quickly or in a lively manner

English

Etymology

From Latin convulsus, past participle of convellere (“to pluck up, dislocate, convulse”), from com- (“together”) + vellere (“to pluck, pull”)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /k?n?v?ls/

Verb

convulse (third-person singular simple present convulses, present participle convulsing, simple past and past participle convulsed)

1. (transitive) To violently shake or agitate.
2. (transitive) To create great laughter.
3. (intransitive) To suffer violent involuntary contraction of the muscles, producing contortions of the body or limbs.

Related terms

• convulsion
• convulsive
• convulsant

Translations

Further reading

• convulse in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• convulse in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

Italian

Adjective

convulse

1. feminine plural of convulso

Latin

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /kon?u?ul.se/, [k?n?u?o??s??]
• (Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /kon?vul.se/, [k?n?vuls?]

Participle

convulse

1. vocative masculine singular of convulsus

Portuguese

Verb

convulse

1. first-person singular (eu) present subjunctive of convulsar
2. third-person singular (ele and ela, also used with você and others) present subjunctive of convulsar
3. third-person singular (você) affirmative imperative of convulsar
4. third-person singular (você) negative imperative of convulsar