convolute

American  

[kon-vuh-loot] / ˈkɒn vəˌlut /

verb (used with or without object)

convoluted, convoluting

1. to coil up; form into a twisted shape.

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adjective

1. rolled up together or with one part over another.

2. Botany.  coiled up longitudinally so that one margin is within the coil and the other without, as the petals of cotton.

convolute British  

/ ˈkɒnvəˌluːt /

verb

1. to form into a twisted, coiled, or rolled shape

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adjective

1. botany rolled longitudinally upon itself

   a convolute petal

2. another word for convoluted

Other Word Forms

• convolutely adverb
• subconvolute adjective
• subconvolutely adverb
• unconvolute adjective
• unconvolutely adverb

Etymology

Origin of convolute

First recorded in 1690–1700; from Latin convolūtus “rolled up,” past participle of convolvere “to roll together, roll up”; convolve

Example Sentences

How barmy is it to fly thousands of people half-way around the world to sit in giant air-conditioned tents to argue about commas, and interpretations of convoluted words?

From BBC

Our reviewer, Steven Poole, wrote that “the book proceeds like a convoluted murder mystery, introducing one suspect after another in what seems like an open-and-shut case, before puncturing the promising narrative with an inconvenient fact.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Producers used different portions of her answer on two programs: a convoluted response on CBS’ Sunday morning show “Face the Nation,” and a more succinct part on “60 Minutes.”

From Los Angeles Times

The Supreme Court has been playing clean-up ever since, using convoluted non-logic to argue that the “no new laws since 1776” logic doesn’t apply to domestic abusers or federal laws restricting deadly gun modifications.

From Salon

The big concession Murkowski won is a convoluted provision that rewards Alaska for having one of the highest payment error rates in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

From Salon