circumvolution

[ sur-kuhm-vuh-loo-shuhn ]

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.

circumvolution

/ 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

Derived Forms

• ˌcircumvoˈlutory, adjective

Other Words From

• cir·cum·vo·lu·to·ry [suhr-k, uh, m-v, uh, -, loo, -t, uh, -ree], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of circumvolution¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of circumvolution¹

C15: from Medieval Latin circumvolūtiō, from Latin circumvolvere, from circum- + volvere to roll

Example Sentences

The circumvolutions of the brain, which was soft and watery, appeared twice as deep as usual, and much more numerous.

From Project Gutenberg

If bricklayers waste motions in laying bricks, how about the motions wasted in lifting one’s hat and the circumvolutions in putting links in one’s cuffs?

From Project Gutenberg

Their words I could not catch at first through the tumultuous howl, but it went on and on, like their circumvolutions, over and over again, till my brain reeled.

From Project Gutenberg

My years, if mentioned, would not, perhaps, appear to be many; but age, in the sense in which I take it, cannot be calculated by circumvolutions of the sun.

From Project Gutenberg

All the more insane were the circumvolution of that fictitious Primum Mobile, which is higher, deeper, and still more immeasurable.

From Project Gutenberg