Definition:
“Occurs when the writer does not write clearly and concisely and so the intended meaning is camouflaged or lost in a maze of complicated structures.”
"3.4 Sentence Building and Structures." Academic Writing Style, Academic Skills Unit, June 2006,
resource.acu.edu.au/acuskills/acstyle/3_4.html. Accessed 6 Sept. 2022.
Informal Definition:
“(esp. of expression in speech or writing) having a complicated structure and therefore difficult to understand.”
"convoluted." Cambridge Dictionary, Cambridge University Press,
dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/convoluted. Accessed 6 Sept. 2022.
Etymology:
“1752, past-participle adjective from verb convolute (1690s), from Latin convolutus, past participle of convolvere "to roll together," from assimilated form of com "with, together" + volvere "to roll.” Or perhaps a back-formation from convolution. French has convoluté (18c.), in form a past-participle adjective, but without the verb.
Harper, Douglas. "Etymology of convoluted." Online Etymology Dictionary,
https://www.etymonline.com/word/convoluted. Accessed 6 September, 2022.
Kelsey W