involve

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To include something as a necessary part or result

   This decision involves a lot of changes to the schedule.

2. 2
   verb

   To make someone take part in an activity or situation

   Please don't involve me in your family arguments.

3. 3
   verb

   To have something as a main part of what you do

   My job involves forecasting economic trends.

4. 4
   verb

   To hold someone's attention completely

   The story completely involved me for the whole afternoon.

Appears in

Simplified etymology

Involve entered English in late Middle English from Latin involvere, literally “to roll in.” It is based on Latin volvere, “to turn, roll, or tumble.”

PIE word *h₁én From Late Middle English involven (“to cloud; to encumber; to envelop, surround; to ponder (something); (reflexive) to concern (oneself) with something”) [and other forms], borrowed from Old French involver, envoudre, or from its etymon Latin involvere, the present active infinitive of Latin involvō (“to roll to or upon something; to roll about; to coil or curl up; to cover; to envelop, wrap up; to overwhelm”), from in- (prefix meaning ‘in, inside, within’) + volvō (“to roll; to tumble”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *welH- (“to turn; to wind (turn coils)”)).

Topics

External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary