anfractuous

[ an-frak-choo-uhs ]

adjective

1. characterized by windings and turnings; sinuous; circuitous:

   an anfractuous path.

anfractuous

/ ænˈfræktʃʊəs /

adjective

1. characterized by twists and turns; convoluted

Word History and Origins

Origin of anfractuous¹

First recorded 1575–85; from French anfractueux, from Late Latin anfractuosus “roundabout, prolix,” from Latin anfractus “bend, curve” (equivalent to the prefix am-, an-, a rare variant of ambi- “both, around, about”) and a derivative of the verb frangere “to break, shatter, smash” + adjective suffix -osus; fraction ( def ), break ( def ), -ose ¹( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of anfractuous¹

C17: from Late Latin anfractuōsus, from Latin anfractus a digression, literally: a bending