involution

in·vo·lu·tion

noun \ˌin-və-ˈlü-shən\

Definition of INVOLUTION

1

a (1) : the act or an instance of enfolding or entangling : involvement (2) : an involved grammatical construction usually characterized by the insertion of clauses between the subject and predicate b : complexity, intricacy

2

: exponentiation

3

a : an inward curvature or penetration b : the formation of a gastrula by ingrowth of cells formed at the dorsal lip

4

: a shrinking or return to a former size

5

: the regressive alterations of a body or its parts characteristic of the aging process <skeletal involution due to loss of estrogens at menopause>

— in·vo·lu·tion·al \-shnəl, -shə-n^əl\ adjective

Examples of INVOLUTION

1. <the involution of the thriller's plot made it hard to follow>

Origin of INVOLUTION

Latin involution-, involutio, from involvere

First Known Use: circa 1611

Related to INVOLUTION

Synonyms: complexness, complicacy, complicatedness, complication, elaborateness, intricacy, intricateness, complexity, knottiness, sophistication

Antonyms: plainness, simpleness, simplicity

Related Words: diversity, heterogeneity, heterogeneousness, multifariousness; impenetrability, incomprehensibility, inexplicability

Near Antonyms: simplification; homogeneity, uniformity

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Rhymes with INVOLUTION

absolution, allocution, attribution, comminution, consecution, constitution, contribution, convolution, destitution, dissolution, distribution, elocution, evolution, execution, exsolution, institution, persecution, prosecution, prostitution, resolution, restitution, retribution, revolution, Rosicrucian, substitution