anticonvulsant
|an-ti-con-vul-sant|
🇺🇸
/ˌæn.ti.kənˈvʌl.sənt/
🇬🇧
/ˌæn.tɪ.kənˈvʌl.sənt/
prevents convulsions
Etymology
'anticonvulsant' originates from Modern English, formed by the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti' meaning 'against') combined with 'convulsant' (from Latin roots related to 'convulsio'/'convulsus').
'convulsion' comes from Latin 'convulsio' (from past participle 'convulsus' of 'convellere' meaning 'to pull together/away'); the adjective/noun-forming suffix '-ant' produced 'convulsant' in usage describing something causing or preventing convulsions, and in the early 20th century English medical usage the compound 'anticonvulsant' was coined.
Initially coined in medical contexts to denote a substance that acts 'against convulsions'; this basic meaning has remained stable and is retained in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a drug or medication used to prevent or reduce the severity and frequency of convulsions or epileptic seizures; an antiepileptic drug.
The doctor prescribed an anticonvulsant to control the patient's seizures.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 1
used to describe a drug or treatment that prevents or reduces convulsions or seizures.
He was put on anticonvulsant medication after the first seizure.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/30 03:28