circumvolution
[ sur-kuh m-vuh-loo-shuh n ]
/ ˌsɜr kəm vəˈlu ʃən /
noun
the act of rolling or turning around: planetary circumvolution.
a single complete turn or cycle.
a winding or folding about something: the circumvolutions of a boa.
a fold so wound: the circumvolution of a snail shell.
a winding in a sinuous course; a sinuosity: the circumvolutions of the river.
a roundabout course or procedure, or an instance of such: The speaker's circumvolutions bored the audience to tears.
RELATED WORDS
Nearby words
circumvallate, circumvallate papilla, circumvent, circumventricular organ, circumvolute, circumvolution, circumvolve, circus, circus maximus, cire perdue, cirebon
Origin of circumvolution
1400–50; late Middle English < Medieval Latin circumvolūtiōn- (stem of circumvolūtiō), equivalent to Latin circumvolūt(us) (past participle of circumvolvere to circumvolve) (circum- circum- + volū- past participle stem of volvere to roll + -tus past participle suffix) + -iōn- -ion
Related forms
cir·cum·vo·lu·to·ry [suhr-kuh m-vuh-loo-tuh-ree] /ˌsʌr kəm vəˈlu tə ri/, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for circumvolution
No doubt was possible: the two lobes, the circumvolution of the brain to the minute red lines of the blood-vessels, all was there.
The Ancient Cities of the New World|Dsir Charnay
British Dictionary definitions for circumvolution
circumvolution
/ (ˌsɜːkəmvəˈluːʃən) /
noun
the act of turning, winding, or folding around a central axis
a single complete turn, cycle, or fold
anything winding or sinuous
a roundabout course or procedure
Derived Forms
circumvolutory, adjectiveWord Origin for circumvolution
C15: from Medieval Latin circumvolūtiō, from Latin circumvolvere, from circum- + volvere to roll
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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