Convoluted Meaning
/ˌkɒnvəˈl(j)uːtɪd/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjHaving numerous overlapping coils or folds; convolute.
adjComplex, complicated, or intricate.
Sentence Examples
The hikers traced a convoluted route through the mountains.
Tom's speech was convoluted and disjointed and was very hard to follow.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The instructions were so ____ that even the engineer could not assemble the device.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The hikers traced a ____ route through the mountains.
Word Origin & History
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.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"[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, [...]"
— 1683 April 19, Edward Tyson, “Lumbricus Latus, or a Discourse Read before the Royal Society of the Joynted Worm, […]”, in Philosophical Transactions. Giving Some Accompt of the Present Undertakings, Studies and Labours of the Ingenious in Many Considerable Parts of the World, volume XIII, number 146, Oxford: Printed at the Theater, and are to be sold by Moses Pit […], and Samuel Smith […], →OCLC, page 130:
"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."
— 1754, John Hill, “ANGUILLA, the Eel”, in Urania: Or, A Compleat View of the Heavens; Containing the Antient and Modern Astronomy, in the Form of a Dictionary: […], London: Printed for T. Gardner, […], →OCLC:
"Petals five, generally reflected, the three exterior ovate, hollowed; the two interior longer and convoluted."
— 1822, William P[aul] C[rillon] Barton, “Listera convallarioides”, in A Flora of North America. […], volume II, Philadelphia, Pa.: H[enry] C[harles] Carey & I[saac] Lea […], →OCLC, page 8:
"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, [...]"
— 1831 March 31, George Brettingham Sowerby, “Ammonites”, in Number XXXIV. … of the Genera of Recent and Fossil Shells, for the Use of Students in Conchology and Geology, London: G. B. Sowerby, […], →OCLC:
"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."
— 1904 January 29 – October 7, Joseph Conrad, chapter VII, in Nostromo: A Tale of the Seaboard, London; New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers […], published 1904, →OCLC, part third (The Lighthouse), page 347:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The instructions were so ____ that even the engineer could not assemble the device.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The hikers traced a ____ route through the mountains.