convoluted
Part of speech: adj
Morphological type: simple
Topics: anatomy
biology
medicine
natural-sciences
sciences
zoology
Etymology: Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *ḱe?
Proto-Indo-European *ḱóm
Proto-Italic *kom
Proto-Italic *kom-
Latin con-
Proto-Indo-European *welH-der.
Proto-Italic *wolwō
Latin volvō
Latin convolvō
Latin convolūtusbor.
English convolute
English -ed
English convoluted
From convolute + -ed.
Inflected forms:
form: more convoluted
pos: adj
tags: comparative
form: most convoluted
pos: adj
tags: superlative
Senses:
gloss: Having numerous overlapping coils or folds; convolute.
pos: adj
examples: [B]y the means of theſe hooks, and Spikes it [a tapeworm in the intestines] might faſten it ſelf, and ſo prevent it's too eaſy ejection out of the body. For it being ſo very long, and large too, and it's body in many places winding, and convoluted, the deſcent of the fæces upon all occaſions would be apt to carry it out with them; had it not this hold, [...]
The figure [of the constellation Anguilla] is that of the common eel in that convoluted ſtate in which it is uſually ſeen when in motion.
Petals five, generally reflected, the three exterior ovate, hollowed; the two interior longer and convoluted.
Among the various fossil shells which abound in the secondary beds, and which are not known in a recent state, one of the most remarkable and numerous is the Genus Ammonites, commonly called Cornu Ammonis from its resemblance to the convoluted horn generally represented on the head of Jupiter Ammon in mythological history. [...] This Genus, which consists of discoid, convoluted, chambered shells with contiguous volutions, the margins of whose septa are lobated and sinuous, and whose siphunculus is dorsal, is very nearly related to Nautilus, [...]
The great mass of cloud filling the head of the gulf had long red smears amongst its convoluted folds of grey and black, as of a floating mantle stained with blood.
Closer examination, however, begins to reveal the brain as having a much more intricate structure and sophisticated organization [...]. The large convoluted (and most porridge-like) portion on top is referred to as the cerebrum.
Everyone is familiar with the Hollywood cliche of the 'mad scientist' crouching over convoluted glassware in which fuming green liquids bubble away.
gloss: Complex, complicated, or intricate.
pos: adj
tags: figuratively
examples: He gave a convoluted explanation that amounted to little more than a weak excuse for his absence.
There is a convoluted cypher which designates the name and titles of the Sultan, contained in a single complicated figure, which is seen on the coins of the empire, and on all public edifices.
The river Meander [now the Büyük Menderes River] is perhaps the most celebrated of all antiquity, and has been made a generic term, in most languages, to designate a winding stream; [...] It afforded Dædalus the model for his labyrinth, and travellers have discovered in many parts the various accurate outlines of some of the most convoluted letters of the Greek alphabet.
[H]e [Herschel Prins] has a very special talent for making convoluted and tortured topics clear. Clarity rarely enhances one's academic reputation, for there is little left to argue about. Clarity, however, appeals to readers, for they can begin to understand a subject which the experts have begun to claim.
The plots of Mission: Impossible movies tend to be convoluted but negligible, really only there to provide connective tissue between jaw-dropping set pieces.
Related words: convolve
convolute
convolution
Derived words: convolutedly
convolutedness
distal convoluted tubule
proximal convoluted tubule
subconvoluted
unconvoluted
Translations: