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in·vo·lute  (invə-lt′)
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Tweet 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. [Latininvolūtus, past participle ofinvolvere, to enwrap; see INVOLVE.] invo·lute′lyadv.  (click for a larger image) involuteThe 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. |
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