convoluted

[ kon-vuh-loo-tid ]
/ ˈkɒn vəˌlu tɪd /

adjective

twisted; coiled.
complicated; intricately involved: a convoluted way of describing a simple device.

Origin of convoluted

First recorded in 1805–15; convolute + -ed2

OTHER WORDS FROM convoluted

con·vo·lut·ed·ly, adjective con·vo·lut·ed·ness, noun un·con·vo·lut·ed, adjective

Definition for convoluted (2 of 2)

convolute
[ kon-vuh-loot ]
/ ˈkɒn vəˌlut /

verb (used with or without object), con·vo·lut·ed, con·vo·lut·ing.

to coil up; form into a twisted shape.

adjective

rolled up together or with one part over another.
Botany. coiled up longitudinally so that one margin is within the coil and the other without, as the petals of cotton.

Origin of convolute

1690–1700; < Latin convolūtus rolled up, equivalent to convolū- (stem of convolvere to convolve) + -tus past participle suffix

OTHER WORDS FROM convolute

Example sentences from the Web for convoluted

British Dictionary definitions for convoluted (1 of 2)

convoluted
/ (ˈkɒnvəˌluːtɪd) /

adjective

(esp of meaning, style, etc) difficult to comprehend; involved
wound together; coiled

Derived forms of convoluted

convolutedly, adverb convolutedness, noun

British Dictionary definitions for convoluted (2 of 2)

convolute
/ (ˈkɒnvəˌluːt) /

verb (tr)

to form into a twisted, coiled, or rolled shape

adjective

botany rolled longitudinally upon itself a convolute petal
another word for convoluted (def. 2)

Derived forms of convolute

convolutely, adverb

Word Origin for convolute

C18: from Latin convolūtus rolled up, from convolvere to roll together, from volvere to turn