Convolve
/kənˈvɒlv/noun
To roll or twist together; in mathematics, to combine two functions into a third.
Did you know?Convolve comes from Latin con- (“together”) + volvere (“to roll”), the same ancient root that gave English words like revolve, involve, and even voluble—words built on the idea of turning, spinning, and rolling through time.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wel-
“to turn, roll, or revolve”
Latin
Latin
volvere
“to roll, turn, or twist”
Late Latin
Latin
convolvere
“to roll together; to wind around”
Middle English
English
convolven
“to roll together or wrap around”
Modern English
English
convolve
“to roll together; to combine in a mathematical or physical sense”