involute

[adj., n. in-vuh-loot; v. in-vuh-loot, in-vuh-loot] /adj., n. ˈɪn vəˌlut; v. ˌɪn vəˈlut, ˈɪn vəˌlut/
adjective
1.
intricate; complex.
2.
curled or curved inward or spirally.
3.
Botany. rolled inward from the edge, as a leaf.
4.
Zoology. (of shells) having the whorls closely wound.
noun
5.
Geometry. any curve of which a given curve is the evolute.
verb (used without object), involuted, involuting.
6.
to roll or curl up; become involute.
7.
to return to a normal shape, size, or state.
Origin
1655-65; < Latin involūtus (past participle of involvere to roll up, wrap, cover), equivalent to in- in-2 + volū- (variant stem of volvere to roll) + -tus past participle suffix; cf. involve
Related forms
involutely, adverb
subinvolute, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for involute

involute

adjective (ˈɪnvəˌluːt)
1.
complex, intricate, or involved
2.
(botany) (esp of petals, leaves, etc, in bud) having margins that are rolled inwards
3.
(of certain shells) closely coiled so that the axis is obscured
noun (ˈɪnvəˌluːt)
4.
(geometry) the curve described by the free end of a thread as it is wound around another curve, the evolute, such that its normals are tangential to the evolute See also evolute
verb (ˌɪnvəˈluːt)
5.
(intransitive) to become involute
Derived Forms
involutely, adverb
involutedly, adverb
Word Origin
C17: from Latin involūtus, from involvere; see involve
Word Origin and History for involute
adj.

early 15c., from Latin involutus "rolled up, intricate, obscure," past participle of involvere (see involve).