convolute
/'kɔnvəlu:t/
Definition
Verb:
- To twist, coil, or wind together: To form into a coiled, spiral, or twisted shape.
- To make complex, intricate, or difficult to follow: To render something complicated or involved, often unnecessarily.
Adjective:
- Rolled or coiled together; twisted: Describing something that is intricately folded, wound, or twisted upon itself.
Usage and Examples
- Verb (to twist or coil):
- The vine will convolute itself around the fence post.
- The artist convoluted the wires into an abstract sculpture.
- Verb (to make complex):
- The lawyer's argument was designed to convolute the simple facts of the case.
- Try not to convolute the instructions; keep them clear for the new users.
- Adjective:
- The fossil showed a shell with a convolute form.
- The convolute patterns of the brain are fascinating to study.
Advanced Usage
- "To convolute the issue": To unnecessarily complicate a matter or a discussion.
- Bringing up old grievances will only convolute the issue we need to resolve today.
- Used in technical/scientific contexts (e.g., botany, anatomy) to describe specific coiled structures.
- The convolute sepals of the flower provide protection for the bud.
Variants and Related Words
- Convoluted (adj): The much more common adjectival form, meaning extremely complex, intricate, and difficult to understand.
- The plot of the novel was so convoluted that I lost track of the characters.
- Convolution (n): 1. A coil or twist. 2. A complexity or intricacy.
- The convolutions of the intestinal tract increase its surface area.
- The legal document was full of unnecessary convolutions.
Synonyms
- Verb (twist): coil, twist, wind, curl, spiral.
- Verb (complicate): complicate, obscure, muddle, confuse, entangle.
- Adjective: coiled, twisted, wound, spiraled.
Antonyms
- Verb (twist): straighten, uncoil, unwind.
- Verb (complicate): simplify, clarify, elucidate, explain.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- While not a common idiom, the concept is often expressed as "to twist (something) into knots" or "to tie (oneself) in knots," meaning to make something overly complicated.
- He convoluted the explanation until everyone was confused. (Similar to: He tied himself in knots trying to explain it.)
Adjective
-
rolled longitudinally upon itself
-
a convolute petal
-
Verb
-
practice sophistry; change the meaning of or be vague about in order to mislead or deceive
-
Don't twist my words
-
-
curl, wind, or twist together
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