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

The visual tone of the show, like its deadpan, involute gags, is adult in the sense of 'grown-up,' as opposed to simply 'not for kiddies.'

From Slate • Mar. 8, 2013

Co-scripted by Damon Lindelof of Lost, this film shares that series’ love for nested mythologies and involute philosophical riddles. is more interested in piling on big questions than in answering them.

From Slate • Jun. 7, 2012

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

From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin

The point p′ will mark the involute curve p.

From Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II by Rose, Joshua

The principles involved in the construction of a rack to work correctly with a wheel or pinion, having involute teeth, are as in Fig.

From Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II by Rose, Joshua