Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “convoluted” come from?

Convoluted comes from Latin convolutum, the past participle of convolvere, meaning to roll together, from con- and volvere.

convoluted (English): Having numerous overlapping coils or folds;...

Definitions

  1. Having numerous overlapping coils or folds;...

Ancestry of “convoluted”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishconvoluteTo make unnecessarily complex; To fold or coil...
2Latinconvolutuscoiled; interwoven, interlaced
3Latinconvolvō—
4Latincōn-—
5Latincumwith, along with; at; -fold
6Old LatincomAlternative form of cum
7Proto-Italickomwith, along, at
8Proto-Indo-Europeanḱómbeside, near, by, with
9Proto-Indo-EuropeanḱeDeictic particle, here; Post-positional...
10Middle Englishkyt—
11Germankitt—
12Old High Germankuti—
13Proto-West Germanickwidugum, resin
14Proto-Germanickweduzresin
15Proto-Indo-Europeangʷet-resin, gum; to say, speak
16Proto-Indo-Europeangū-to bend; curve; arch; vault; to bow, bend, arch,...

Words derived from “convoluted”

  • convolutedly
  • convolutedness
  • unconvoluted
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gū- →