Convoluted
/ˈkɒn.və.luː.tɪd/noun
Twisted into a complex shape or difficult to understand.
Did you know?It comes from Latin con- “together” + volvere “to roll, turn,” the same ancient root behind words tied to turning, revolving, and even being overthrown.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wel-
“to turn, roll, or revolve”
Latin
Latin
volvere
“to roll, turn, or cause to revolve”
Latin
Latin
convolūtus
“rolled together; coiled; folded into a spiral”
Late Latin / Medieval Latin
Latin
convolūtus
“twisted together; intricately folded”
16th Century
English
convoluted
“rolled together; folded in a spiral”
Modern English
English
convoluted
“highly complex, intricate, or hard to follow”