involute

American  

[in-vuh-loot, in-vuh-loot, in-vuh-loot] / ˈɪn vəˌlut, ˌɪn vəˈlut, ˈɪn vəˌlut /

adjective

1. intricate; complex.

2. curled or curved inward or spirally.

3. Botany. rolled inward from the edge, as a leaf.

4. Zoology. (of shells) having the whorls closely wound.

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noun

1. Geometry. any curve of which a given curve is the evolute.

verb (used without object)

involuted, involuting

1. to roll or curl up; become involute.

2. to return to a normal shape, size, or state.

involute British  

adjective

1. complex, intricate, or involved

2. botany (esp of petals, leaves, etc, in bud) having margins that are rolled inwards

3. (of certain shells) closely coiled so that the axis is obscured

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noun

1. geometry the curve described by the free end of a thread as it is wound around another curve, the evolute, such that its normals are tangential to the evolute See also evolute

verb

1. (intr) to become involute

Other Word Forms

• involutedly adverb
• involutely adverb
• subinvolute adjective

Etymology

Origin of involute

1655–65; < Latin involūtus (past participle of involvere to roll up, wrap, cover), equivalent to in- in- ² + volū- (variant stem of volvere to roll) + -tus past participle suffix; involve

Example Sentences

Several daguerreotypes here foreground the ornament and patterning of Egyptian buildings; this one captures every edge of the involute roof of a 16th-century mosque, festooned with knotty hearts and flowers.

From New York Times

They were involute, introvert, indirect; they did not like questions and answers.

From Literature

Petals 4, strap-shaped, long and narrow, spirally involute in the bud.

From Project Gutenberg

In involute teeth the motion transmitted will be smooth and equal whether the pitch lines of the wheels coincide or not, hence the wear of the journals and bearings does not impair their action.

From Project Gutenberg

The first curve is called the involute of the second.

From Project Gutenberg