circumvolution
[sur-kuh m-vuh-loo-shuh n]
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
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
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 WorldDsir Charnay
circumvolution
noun
Word Origin for circumvolution
C15: from Medieval Latin circumvolūtiō, from Latin circumvolvere, from circum- + volvere to roll
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