involution

noun

in·vo·lu·tion | \ ˌin-və-ˈlü-shən

Definition of involution

1a(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

3a : 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

Other Words from involution Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About involution

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Examples of involution in a Sentence

the involution of the thriller's plot made it hard to follow

Recent Examples on the Web The opposite of evolution, a process of involution spirals in on itself, trapping its participants. — Yi-ling Liu, Wired, 9 Mar. 2021 Notice that this is an involution as = ∂. In addition, the only self-conjugate itinerary is a string of O’s. — Nicholas Diaco, Scientific American, 20 Mar. 2018 The entire process is known as involution of the uterus. — Jennifer Hansen, WIRED, 6 Oct. 2010

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'involution.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for involution

Middle English involucioun "wrapping of a bandage, twist or coil of an organ, anatomical fold or entanglement," borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French involucion "state of something rolled up on itself, confusion, complications hindering the prosecution of a lawsuit," borrowed from Medieval Latin involūtiōn-, involūtiō "twist or coil of an organ, covering, wrapping up, envelopment, complexity, obscurity," going back to Latin, "a spiral, screw," from involū-, variant stem of involvere "to move by rolling, roll back on itself, enclose in a covering, wrap up" (Medieval Latin, "to engage in an affair or occupation, implicate, ensnare") + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at involve

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Dictionary Entries Near involution

involute tooth

involution

involve

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Last Updated

29 Sep 2021

Cite this Entry

“Involution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/involution. Accessed 17 Oct. 2021.

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More Definitions for involution

involution

noun

in·vo·lu·tion | \ ˌin-və-ˈlü-shən

Medical Definition of involution

1a : an inward curvature or penetration

b : the formation of a gastrula by ingrowth of cells formed at the dorsal lip

2 : a shrinking or return to a former size involution of the uterus after pregnancy

3 : the regressive alterations of a body or its parts characteristic of the aging process specifically : decline marked by a decrease of bodily vigor and in women by menopause