'Involution' definitions:

Definition of 'involution'

From: WordNet
noun
Reduction in size of an organ or part (as in the return of the uterus to normal size after childbirth)
noun
A long and intricate and complicated grammatical construction
noun
Marked by elaborately complex detail [syn: elaborateness, elaboration, intricacy, involution]
noun
The act of sharing in the activities of a group; "the teacher tried to increase his students' engagement in class activities" [syn: engagement, participation, involvement, involution] [ant: non-engagement, non- involvement, nonparticipation]
noun
The process of raising a quantity to some assigned power [syn: exponentiation, involution]
noun
The action of enfolding something [syn: involution, enfolding]

Definition of 'Involution'

From: GCIDE
  • Involution \In`vo*lu"tion\, n. [L. involutio: cf. F. involution. See Involve.] [1913 Webster]
  • 1. The act of involving or infolding. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. The state of being entangled or involved; complication; entanglement. [1913 Webster]
  • All things are mixed, and causes blended, by mutual involutions. --Glanvill. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. That in which anything is involved, folded, or wrapped; envelope. --Sir T. Browne. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. (Gram.) The insertion of one or more clauses between the subject and the verb, in a way that involves or complicates the construction. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. (Math.) The act or process of raising a quantity to any power assigned; the multiplication of a quantity into itself a given number of times; -- the reverse of evolution. [1913 Webster]
  • 6. (Geom.) The relation which exists between three or more sets of points, a.a', b.b', c.c', so related to a point O on the line, that the product Oa.Oa' = Ob.Ob' = Oc.Oc' is constant. Sets of lines or surfaces possessing corresponding properties may be in involution. [1913 Webster]
  • 7. (Med.) The return of an enlarged part or organ to its normal size, as of the uterus after pregnancy. [1913 Webster]