convoluted

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Having numerous overlapping coils or folds; convolute.

   [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, [...]

2. 2
   adj

   Complex, complicated, or intricate.

   He gave a convoluted explanation that amounted to little more than a weak excuse for his absence.

3. 3
   adj

   highly complex or intricate and occasionally devious

4. 4
   adj

   rolled longitudinally upon itself

5. 5
   verb

   simple past and past participle of convolute

Etymology

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 -d English convoluted From convolute + -d.