circumvolution

[sur-kuh m-vuh-loo-shuh n]

See more synonyms for circumvolution on Thesaurus.com

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.

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 formscir·cum·vo·lu·to·ry

[suhr-kuh m-vuh-loo-tuh-ree] /ˌsʌr kəm vəˈlu tə ri/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for circumvolution

whirl, convolution, circulation, turn, gyration, rotation

Examples from the Web for circumvolution

Historical Examples of 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

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 Formscircumvolutory, adjective

Word Origin for circumvolution

C15: from Medieval Latin circumvolūtiō, from Latin circumvolvere, from circum- + volvere to roll

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for circumvolution

mid-15c., noun of action from past participle stem of Latin circumvolvere "to revolve through, to roll around" (see circumvolve).