Convolute Co- 
Oonvoluta 
Convoluta (kon-vo-lfi'tii). . [XL., fern, of 
\i. I'linrnliiliix, rolled together: srr i-nnmliiti . \ 
The typical genus of the family t'oin-nliiliilir. 
I'. />iir(ttlit.rit, of the North Sea and the Baltic, 
is an example. 
Thej;eiiu*''"iiiWM-i . . . enmpriscs small worms which 
lia\e the thin lateral imrtions nt their hollies eltrled over 
on to the ventral side. Xtiiml. \nt. Hint., 1. 190. 
convolute (kon'vo-lut), a. and w. [= F. con- 
. ll. coiirolulo, < L. foiirolutus, pp. 
of ronrolrcre, roll together: see 
</; !(</(.] I. ii. Kolled together, 
or one part over another, in but., 
(.pceilli -ally applied to a leaf in the bud 
which is rolled up longitudinally in a 
siir.'li roil, one margin being within tin 
eoil, the other without, as in the cherry; 
also, with reference to estivation, to a co- 
SStSJ. roll* which is similarly rolled up, the pet 
als successively overlapping one another, 
with one margin covered and the other exterior, as in the 
Mtitrii'-'-ii-. The epithet contorted or tu-i<ti-<l is treijnently 
u->-d in the same sense, though in most cases no actual 
twist occurs. Also conwlutfve. Convolute shell, in 
i-i'iifli.. a shell with an enlarged final whorl embracing 
most or all of the previously formed ones, such as that of 
tile I'tlfn-iriilir, Maul d i fin In shells, etc. 
II. n. That which is convoluted Convoluta 
to a Circle, the curve which would be traced on the plane 
of a wheel rolling on a rail by a point flxed on, above, or 
below the rail. ,*>//' l: i- 
convoluted (kon'vo-lu-ted), a. [As convolute + 
-nl-.] Same as convolute. 
I'.eaks recurved and i-tu-liitt'it like a ram's Imrn. 
Pennant, British /mil.. Chania. 
Convoluted antennas, in entnni.. antenna: that are curled 
inward at the ends, as in many Pinnpiluitf. Convoluted 
bone, in niuit., a scroll-like or turbinated bone; a tin 
liinal. Three such bones are distinguished in man, the 
ethmnturbinal, inaxilloturbinal, and sphcnoturbinal. See 
these words. -Convoluted wings, in entom., wings which 
in repose embrace the l>ody from aliove downward, inclos- 
ing it an in a tube. 
Convolutidae (kon-vo-lu'ti-de), w. pi. [NL., < 
Coni'oliita + -iiia'."] A family of rhabdocceloiiH 
turbellariaus having no alimentary canal, and 
with the ovaries and yolk-glands not separate : 
typified by the genus Convohita. 
convolution (kon-vo-lu'shon), ii. [< L. as if 
ciiiiriiliiliii(n-), < coiirolrere, pp. conrolutns, roll 
together: see convolve.] 1. The act of rolling 
or winding together, or of winding one part 
or thing on another ; the motion or process of 
winding in and out. 
O'er the calm sea in convolution swift 
The feathcr'd eddy floats. 
7'Aomm, Autumn, 1. 839. 
2. The state of being rolled upon itself, or 
rolled or wound together. 
Convolved fibres of vessels, . . . their convolution being 
contrived for the better separation of the several parts of 
I lie blood. A. Grew, Cosmologia Sacra, i. 5. 
3. A turn or winding; a fold; a gyration; an 
anf ractuosity ; a whorl: as, the convolutions of 
a vine; the convolutions of the intestines. 
I have seen 
A curious child, who dwelt upon a tract 
of inland ground, applying to his ear 
The convolution* of a smooth-lipped shell. 
Wordftrorth, Excursion, iv. 
4. In aiifit., specifically, one of the gyri, gyres, 
or anfractuosities of the brain, especially of the 
cerebrum. See cuts under brain and corpus. 
5. In math., such a connection between the re- 
lations of any asyzygetic system that each is 
applied alternately in the aggregate of the re- 
maining relations Broca's convolution, the in- 
ferior frontal convolution nf the hrain. Convolutions 
of the brain. s ee lirnin. fry*, and xulcu*. 
convolutive (kon'vo-lu-tiv), a. [= F. count/ ii- 
1(1'; as convolute + -ire.] In bot., same as cou- 
convolve (kon-volv'), r. t. ; pret. and pp. ron- 
!/, ppr. courolving. [= It. convolgerc, con- 
'c, < L. roil ivi/ 1 TIT, pp. couroliitus, roll to- 
gether, < com-, together, + rolrere, roll: see 
riilnhli. niliiti; and cf. inrolrr, entire, revolve.] 
To roll or wind together; roll or twist (one 
part or thing) on another. 
Then Satan first knew pain, 
And writhed him to and fro convolved. 
ililtnn, P. L., vl. 328. 
Newly hatched maggots . . . can cvnnolw the stubborn 
leaf. Dcrham. 
.Ktnii thunders dreadful under-ground, 
Then pours out smoke in wreathing curls ronrWiv*/. 
Addition. .-Eneid. iii. 
convolvent (kon-vol'vent), fl. [< L. convol- 
rcn(t-)n. ppr. oi' conrolrere, roll together: see 
1247 
mina are verticnl. covering the sides and lower 
wings, as in (lie katydid. 
Convolvulaceae (kon-vol-vn-la'se-e), n. ill. 
[NL., < ('oHrolriiliix + -ncctf.'i A large natural 
order of tnonopetalous exogens, consisting of 
herbs or shrubs usually twining or trailing, and 
often wit li milky juice, exemplified by the genus 
t'ltlll-olriltltM. It i* allied to the >'<./ iiit.vir aiul. W/n,,/,,,/,, 
riaata, t mm which it ldUtin::nMicd by the general habit. 
the alternate leaves, ami the fnni|ianitivcly large solitary 
nr geminate needs Illled with a erum]iled embryo. There 
an- a I nit :n i genera and IMI species, of temperate and tropi- 
cal regions, including tin- inoniiim-Klory (Ipvwcea), the 
bindweed (Cnnmtnilii*), the dnddi i (Cimcuta), etc. Many 
possess purgative quail ties, and some are used in medicine, 
as jala|i an<l ^eaninmiiv. 'I he piini ij.al food-product of 
theofilfl- is tlir s\veet iMt-it" I ,.,,,,,1111 UnlntOi. 
. 
COnvolVUlaCOOUS (kon-vol-vu-la'shius), n. [< 
Cinii-iili-iiliK-i'ii'.] Iii in,/., belonging or relating 
to the natural order Convolvulacea' ; resembling 
the convolvulus. 
convolvulic (kon-vorvu-lik), a. [< Convolni/Hx 
+ -ic.~\ Pertaining to or derived from plants of 
the genus Convolv ulus. Convolvulic acid, same 
as cuiu'i'l I'lilini'- tn'i<l. 
COnyolvulin (kon-yol'vu-lin), . [< Coiii-olriiliif 
+ -i/i 2 .] A glucoside, tHe active purgative prin- 
ciple of jalap. 
convolvulinlc (kon-vol-vu-lin'ik), . [< con- 
volvulin + -ic.] Pertaining to or derived from 
plants of the genus Convolvulus __ Convolvulinlc 
acid, an acid derived from the resin of jalap, Cfinvolm- 
n as Exofftmium I'urga. 
Also i-iini-iiiriili'- Hi-ill. 
lint 
i of Linnanis, now known 
Kolling; winding; inwrapping: spe- 
cifically applied, in ruloin., to the tegmina of an 
orthopti'vous inscc't when, in repose, the anal 
areas lie horizontally one over the other on the 
I iack of tlir insect, 'while the rest of the teg- 
Convolvulus (kon-vol'vu-lus), n. [= F. con- 
volve, convolvulus = 8p. convdlvulo = It. eonvol- 
rolo = Dan. konvolvolus, < L. convolrulus (dim. 
form), bindweed (in reference to their twining 
habit), < conrolrere, roll together, entwine: see 
coi 4 o/re.] 1. [NL.] One of the principal geiiera 
of the natural order Con- 
rolvulaceie, of about 150 
species, natives of tem- 
perate and subtropical 
regions, and especially 
abundant in the eastern 
Mediterranean region. 
They are slender, twining nerhs, 
with showy trumpet-shaped 
dowel*. The more common spe- 
cies of the lie lil-, as C. xepiuin 
and C. ariwnsit. are popularly 
known as bimhcftd. C. Scam- 
inonia, of the Levant . yields the 
purgative drug scanimony. 
2. [/. c.] A plant of the 
genus Convolvulus. 
The lustre of the long cimrolctt- 
I hat coil'd around the stately 
stems, and ran 
r.Vn to the limit of the land. 
Tetmynon, Enoch Arden. 
convoy (kqn-voi'), r. t. [< 
ME. (north. ) convoien,eon- 
royen, < OF. eonroier (F. ,^r!FromTe Ml 
fonrnyrr = Sp. conroyar %*}+$* **' 
= Pg. eomooior = It. con- 
rogliare), another form of couvrier, > E. conrey : 
see convey, which is a doublet of conroy.] 1. 
To accompany on the way for protection, either 
by sea or land ; escort : as, ships of war con- 
voyed the Jamaica fleet ; trcrops coiiroyed the 
baggage-wagons. 
We embarqued in a Dutch Fregat, hound for Flushing, 
convoyed and accompanied by live other stoute vessells. 
Kcelyn, Diary, Jnly 21, 1641. 
She is a galley of the Gran Duca, 
That, through the fear of the Algerines, 
Convoiit those lazy hrigantines. 
Longfellow, Golden legend, v, 
2. To accompany for safety or guidance; at- 
tend as an escort on a journey. 
Hut hark ! a rap comes gently to the door ; 
Jenny, wha kens the meaning o' the same. 
Tells how a neibor lad cam o er the moor. 
To do some errands, and coni'ni/ her hame. 
fliirtw, Cottar's Saturday Ni-ln 
3f. To convey. 
Imagination's chariot convened her 
Into a garden where more Beauties smil'd 
Than AphrodiMus's Groves false face did wear. 
./. Hi-tin nii'iit. Psyche, II. 194. 
convoy (kon'voi). ii. [< ronroy, r. Cf. miini/. 
n.] If. Conveyance. 
Let him depart ; his passport shall l made. 
And crowns for ronroi/ put into his purse. 
Shale.. Hen. V., iv. X. 
2. The act of accompanying and escorting for 
protection or defense; escort. 
sueb fellows . . . will learn you by rote where services 
were done; ... at such a breach, at such a convoy. 
Shale.. Hen. v'.. iii. 
Being safely come to the Marine, in Conrmj of his Ma- 
i. -iv - .IcweN. Hoieell, Letters. I. iii. 89. 
convulsionary 
3. The proti-ciion afforded by mi accompany- 
ing escort, as of troops, a ves-el IP! war. eti-. 
><tl> I'imi i- < rirhly laden, find to launch frth mi 
der luy atls]tirinn* Ctmvoy. Conyrece, OM li;il< li.-t., 
I he n -mail,. I. i "i the journey a< iicrfornieil under Hi. 
tx/nooy of a numerous anil \\ell :n m< >i 
i 'i-il. anil Isa., i. :l. 
Til nlltaill til IMall Ilf-War. V. l.-:l:l, 
4. An escort or accompanying anil protecting 
force ; a convoying vessel, fleet, or troop. 
UnllhtlrM they have fitted nut I liivthc noliln 
temper of the man and the grandeur of his project. 
/ :i-ii, Orations, 1. i:.7. 
In prevent tin ,. annoyances |of search at seal, unvern- 
menu hare sometimes arranged with <>ne anotlii -r that 
the presence of a public vessel, or i-nni-n//, junnn^ n ileet 
nf merchantmen, shall be evidence that the latter are en 
gaged In a lawful trade. 
Wuolteii, Introd. to Inter. Law, | nil. 
The next morning (I) proceeded to La Orange with n 
convuy hut the few cavalrymen I hail with me. 
U. S. (i n< ni, IVr-mial Memoir*, I. :iml. 
5. The ship, fleet, party, or thine conducted 
or escorted and protected; that which is con- 
voyed : as, in the fog the frigate lost sight of 
her convoy. [The most common sense in nau- 
tical use.] 6. A friction-bnike for carriages. 
E. H. Knifiht. 
convulse (kon-vuls'), v. t. ; pret. and pp. con- 
ruined, ppr. con r nisi ny. [= F. ronrulser = 8p. 
Pg. convitlxar, < L. conritlsus, courolsug, pp. of 
convellere (> It. ronreUere), pluck up, dislocate, 
convulse, (. mm-, together, + vellere, pluck, 
pull.] 1. To draw or contract spasmodically or 
involuntarily, as the muscular parts of an ani- 
mal body; affect by irregular spasms: as, his 
whole frame was convulsed with agony. 2. 
To shake ; disturb by violent irregular action ; 
cause great or violent agitation in. 
Convulsing heaven aiul earth. 
ThoiuMu, Summer, 1. 1143. 
'Die two royal houses, whose conflicting claims hail long 
cnnrHlxeil the kingdom, were at length united. 
Mamulaii, Hallam s Const. Hint. 
convulsible (kqn-vul'si-bl), a. [= F. conniM- 
l>le, < L. OMMMMCr, pp. of conrfllere, convulse 
(see convulse), + -ibl<:~\ Capable of being con- 
vulsed; subject to convulsion. JSmrnmn. 
convulsion (kon-vul'shon), . [= F. convulsion 
= Sp. convulsion = Pg. ciinculs3i> = It. conriilsione 
= D. konvulsie = Gr. convulsion = Dan. Sw. kon- 
rulxion, < L. conrulsio(n-), conrolsio(n-), cramp, 
convulsion, < conrulmw, pp. of eonrellerf, con- 
rulse: see convulse.'] 1. A violent and involun- 
tary contraction of the muscular parts of an 
animal body, with alternate relaxation: a fit. 
Infanta are frequently affected with convulsions, the body 
undergoing violent spasmodic contractions, and feeling 
and voluntary motion ceasing for the time being. 
If my hand he put into motion by a connexion, the in- 
differently of that operative faculty is taken away. l.nekr. 
2. Any violent and irregular motion ; turmoil ; 
tumult; commotion. 
Whether it be that Providence at certain periods (end* 
-i fat men into the world >r that such at all times 
latently exist, ami are developed into notice by national 
ivnnttlmoiM, . . . the fact is undeniable that the great 
men who effected the American anil French revolutions 
. . . left liehind them no equals. H'. Chanifferx. 
3. Specifically, in aeol., a sudden and violent 
disturbance and change of position of the strata ; 
a geological event taking place rapidly and at 
one impulse, instead of slowly and by repeated 
efforts: nearly the same as catastrophe or cata- 
clysm. 4t. Violent voluntary muscular effort. 
Those two massy pillars 
With horrible cimvHlnitm to and fro 
He tngK'd. Millon, 8. A., 1. 149. 
Crowing convulsions, a popular name of laryngismus 
strldulus, or spasm of the larynx : false croup ; spasmodic 
croup. =Syn. 2. Disturliance. ]>erturliatioii. throe, 
convulsional (kon-vuTshon-al), a. [< convul- 
sion + -ill.} 1. Ttelatiug to or of the nature of 
convulsions; cataclysmic. 2. Subject to con- 
vulsions. [Kare in both senses.] 
convulsionary (kon-vul'shou-a-ri), a. and n. 
[=F.coiirulxioiiHairc = It. MMMlMoMrio, < XL. 
fin i -ulitioHtiriHx, < L. conrulsio(n-), convulsion: 
see convulsion.] I. n. 1. Pertaining to convul- 
sion ; of the nature of muscular convulsions : 
as, ronmlfiotmry struggles. 2. Causing or re- 
sulting from violent disturbance or agitation. 
Whatever was rntirnMonara and destructive in polities, 
ami above all in religion. 
Lotcell, Among my Bonks, 2d ser., p. '-}? / \ 
II. n.: }>\.fiiHriilxiiin<irirs(-ri7.). Oneyjfcj* 
subject to convulsions; specifically [cn, n ,, 
of a class of Jansenists in France j^ 
notoriety by falling into eonvulsjv 
by other extravagant actions 
ai nipanicd bv miraculous; 
~ In the coots the body U 
lip tail, orbob- 
' plumage on the 
