Etymologically
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convolvo

Etymology and origin of the Latin word convolvo

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Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Lucretius
Ultimate origin
Latin (volvō)

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [kɔnˈwɔɫ.woː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [koɱˈvɔl.vo][1]

Forms

convolvō (present infinitive convolvere, perfect active convolvī, supine convolūtum); third conjugation[1]

Etymology

It is from con- “together” and volvō “to roll”.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Lucretius, of rolling round.[2] Köbler dates Lucretius 96–55 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant to whirl round, and to churn up the sea, as in Lucretius, and in Varro to roll up, coil.[2] In Caesar it meant to wrap round, enfold.[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant to roll up.[5] It gave English convolve in the 1640s, and its participle convolūtus gave English convolute in 1794.[3]

Timeline

  • 96–55 BC – Lucretius uses it of whirling round.[2][4]
  • 116–27 BC – Varro uses it of coiling.[2][4]
  • 1640s – English convolve is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To whirl round; to churn up.[2]
  2. To roll up, coil.[2]
  3. To wrap round.[2]

Word family

  • convolvulus

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
Cite this entry

“Convolvo.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/convolvo. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·