involute
Also found in: Thesaurus, Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.
Related to involute: involute spline
The parametric equations of an involute of a circle are
x = r cos θ + r θ sin θ,
y = r sin θ - r θ cos θ.
in·vo·lute
(ĭn′və-lo͞ot′)adj.
1. Intricate; complex.
2.
a. Botany Having the margins rolled inward.
b. Zoology Having whorls that enclose and obscure earlier whorls. Used of a gastropod shell.
intr.v. in·vo·lut·ed, in·vo·lut·ing, in·vo·lutes
To curl inward.
n.
The curve traced by a point as if it were on a taut string being unwound from another curve.
[Latin involūtus, past participle of involvere, to enwrap; see involve.]
in′vo·lute′ly adv.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
involute
adj
1. complex, intricate, or involved
2. (Botany) botany (esp of petals, leaves, etc, in bud) having margins that are rolled inwards
3. (Zoology) (of certain shells) closely coiled so that the axis is obscured
n
(Mathematics) 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
vb
(intr) to become involute
[C17: from Latin involūtus, from involvere; see involve]
ˈinvoˌlutely adv
ˌinvoˈlutedly adv
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
in•vo•lute
(adj., n. ˈɪn vəˌlut; v. ˌɪn vəˈlut)adj., n., v. -lut•ed, -lut•ing. adj.
1. intricate; complex.
2. curled or curved inward or spirally: a gear with involute teeth.
3. rolled inward from the edge, as a leaf.
4. (of shells) having the whorls closely wound.
n. 5. Geom. any curve of which a given curve is the evolute.
v.i. 6. to become involute.
7. to return to a normal shape, size, or state.
[1655–65; < Latin involūtus, past participle of involvere; see involve]
in′vo•lute`ly, adv.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
involute
Past participle: involuted
Gerund: involuting
| Imperative |
|---|
| involute |
| involute |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Adj. | 1. | involute - especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward coiled - curled or wound (especially in concentric rings or spirals); "a coiled snake ready to strike"; "the rope lay coiled on the deck" |
| 2. | involute - (of some shells) closely coiled so that the axis is obscured coiled - curled or wound (especially in concentric rings or spirals); "a coiled snake ready to strike"; "the rope lay coiled on the deck" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
involute
adjectiveDifficult to understand because of intricacy:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
involute
adj (liter: = complex) → verwickelt
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007