circumvolution

American  

[sur-kuhm-vuh-loo-shuhn] / ˌsɜr kəm vəˈlu ʃən /

noun

1. the act of rolling or turning around.

   planetary circumvolution.

2. a single complete turn or cycle.

3. a winding or folding about something.

   the circumvolutions of a boa.

4. a fold so wound.

   the circumvolution of a snail shell.

5. a winding in a sinuous course; a sinuosity.

   the circumvolutions of the river.

6. a roundabout course or procedure, or an instance of such.

   The speaker's circumvolutions bored the audience to tears.

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circumvolution British  

/ ˌsɜːkəmvəˈluːʃən /

noun

1. the act of turning, winding, or folding around a central axis

2. a single complete turn, cycle, or fold

3. anything winding or sinuous

4. a roundabout course or procedure

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Other Word Forms

• circumvolutory adjective

Etymology

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