anfractuous

American  

[an-frak-choo-uhs] / ænˈfræk tʃu əs /

adjective

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

   an anfractuous path.

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anfractuous British  

/ ænˈfræktʃʊəs /

adjective

1. characterized by twists and turns; convoluted

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Etymology

Origin of anfractuous

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; see origin at fraction ( def. ), break ( def. ), -ose ¹ ( def. )