involvev.
/ɪnˈvɒlv/, U.S. /ᵻnˈvɑlv/, /ᵻnˈvɔlv/ To enfold, envelop, entangle, include: predicated either of an agent or of a surrounding or enveloping substance or material.figurative.a1420 T. Hoccleve De Regimine Principum 2657 A cursed caitif Inuolued and y-wrapped in þe vice Of couetise.1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in Wks. G. Chaucer i. f. cccxxvii Tho I was in prosperyte, and with forayne goodes enuolued.1651 C. Cartwright Certamen Religiosum i. 205 What sentence we should all have, if God..had not involved and wrapped us in his righteousnesse.1896 W. Harcourt Speech in Commons 29 July The hon. member made a speech last night in which he proceeded to involve himself in his own virtue. [Cf. Horace Od. iii. xxix. 55 Mea virtute me involvo.]† 9. To turn over in the mind; to revolve. rare.
1. transitive. To roll or enwrap in anything that is wound round, or surrounds as a case or covering; to enfold, to envelop. Const. in, †with.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > wrapping > wrap [verb (transitive)] > enfold or envelop
befolda1000
umbefold14..
foldc1394
umbeclipa1395
involvea1420
overfold?1440
warp1513
overroll1548
encompass1553
invest1578
immantle1585
enrol1590
imply1590
circumvest1599
circumvestite1599
enfold1599
convolve1601
shadow1608
overlapc1612
enwreathe1620
obvele1654
obside1695
integument1883
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > wrapping > wrap [verb (transitive)] > enfold or envelop > in a surrounding medium
belapc1175
take?a1300
wrapa1382
environa1393
enumberc1400
involvea1420
enfoldc1425
bewrapa1430
mantlec1450
envelop1474
enwrap1545
imply1590
circumvolve1607
circumfuse1608
becloaka1618
swathe1624
gird1645
wrap1656
velope1722
steep1798
bathe1816
cloak1818
impall1852
atmosphere1881
kirtle1888
1482 Monk of Evesham 37 Anone fro benethe..ther brake vppe a flame of fier that inuoluyd hem.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. XXXiiv The corporas..wherin his blessed body was inuolued or wrapped.
1553 R. Eden tr. S. Münster Treat. Newe India sig. Gijv Inuoluinge with cereclothe, and pouderinge with spyces the bodye.
1650 J. Bulwer Anthropometamorphosis i. 1 The Heads of Infants..are involved in head-bands.
a1676 M. Hale Primitive Originat. Mankind (1677) i. ii. 63 They lye more torpid, and inactive, and inevident,..like a spark involved in ashes.
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth II. 45 Within this the embryo is still farther involved, in two membranes, called the chorion, and amnios.
1856 E. B. Browning Aurora Leigh iii. 95 I saw Fog only, the great tawny weltering fog, Involve the passive city.
2.
a. To wind in a spiral form, or in a series of curves, coils, or folds; to wreathe, coil, entwine.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > curvature > coil > [verb (transitive)]
writheOE
foldc1330
wrall1398
wreathec1425
enrol1530
twind1548
involve1555
wring1585
invilup1592
rolla1616
entortill1641
convolve1650
coila1691
circumflex1851
serpentine1883
convolute1887
swirl1902
whorl1904
1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde i. v. f. 26 Rouling them togyther on a cyrcle, inuolued after the maner of a slepynge snake.
1598 A. M. tr. J. Guillemeau Frenche Chirurg. xvi b/1 The threde which is involvde rounde about the Needle.
1602 J. Marston Antonios Reuenge iv. v. sig. Iv Let's thus our hands, our hearts, our armes inuolue.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost vii. 483 Some of Serpent kinde..involv'd Thir Snakie foulds. View more context for this quotation
1817 P. B. Shelley Laon & Cythna iii. xxiii. 68 Like a quire of devils, Around me they involved a giddy dance.
b. figurative. To join as by winding together or intertwining; to ‘wrap up’ with.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > condition or state of being mixed or blended > mix or blend [verb (transitive)] > intricately
interlacec1374
entermeenec1443
enterlade1545
weave1545
twist1574
interwork1603
interweave1612
context1628
involve1651
warp1803
thread1853
1651 R. Baxter Plain Script. Proof Infants Church-membership & Baptism 254 You will needs involve your own esteem with the credit of your ill cause.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ii. 807 He knows His end with mine involvd . View more context for this quotation
1768 L. Sterne Sentimental Journey II. 146 Our misfortunes were involved together.
1852 H. Rogers Eclipse of Faith 108 Whether faith can ever exist independently of belief,—whether it is not always involved with it,..that is the point on which I want light.
3.
a. figurative. To envelop within the folds of some condition or circumstance; to environ, esp. so as to obscure or embarrass; to beset with difficulty or obscurity. Const. in, †with.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > of difficulty: beset (a person) [verb (transitive)] > make difficult > surround with difficulty
involve1382
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > wrapping > wrap [verb (transitive)] > enfold or envelop > in a surrounding medium > of conditions or influences
wrapa1382
wrapa1382
involve1382
bathea1529
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Pref. Epist. Jerome vii. 71 The thrid hath bigynnyngis and ende with so feel derknessis enuolued.
1531 T. Elyot Bk. named Gouernour i. xiv. sig. Gvv That reuerende studie is inuolued in so barbarouse a langage,..no man vnderstandyng it but they whiche haue studyed the lawes.
1598 J. Marston Certaine Satyres in Metamorph. Pigmalions Image 39 That such Cymerian darknes should inuolue A quaint conceit.
1635 E. Pagitt Christianographie (1636) i. iii. 92 This doctrine..is involved with absurdities, and inexplicable contradictions.
1790 W. Paley Horæ Paulinæ in Wks. (1825) III. 207 This passage is involved in great obscurity.
1871 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues II. 340 The numerous difficulties in which this question is involved.
b. To entangle (a matter), to render intricate.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > disorder > confusion or disorder > entanglement or entangled state > complication or complexity > make complicated [verb (transitive)]
entrike?c1425
envolde1451
involve1533
perplex1547
enfold1605
daedalizea1618
fasel1636
interpuzzle1650
puzzle1652
ravel1656
intriguea1677
complicate1832
to twist up1864
1533 T. More Debellacyon Salem & Bizance ii. xvii. f. xcix As wylyly as those shrewys that begyle hym haue holpe hym to inuolue and intryke the mater.
1635 G. Hakewill Apol. (rev. ed.) iv. xi. 541 Rather..to dispatch the busines with judgement, then to inuolue it with nice distinctions.
1900 N.E.D. at Involve Mod. We must not further involve the statement; it is intricate enough already.
4. To envelop or (in later use, more usually) entangle (a person) in trouble, difficulties, perplexity, etc.; to embarrass; to engage in circumstances from which it is difficult to withdraw. Const. in, †with, †into.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > types or manners of hindrance > hinder in specific manner [verb (transitive)] > by entangling or binding
shrenchc897
beswapec980
taglea1340
tanglea1340
gyve1377
encumber138.
engleimc1400
wrapc1412
involvec1440
fetter1526
mesh1532
crawl1548
felter1567
to tie up1570
in trick1572
ensnarl1593
entrammel1598
engage1603
casta1605
imbrier1605
weave1620
immaze1631
trammel1727
enchain1751
entangle1790
enmesh1822
in mesh1875
the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > occupy or engage (a person) [verb (transitive)] > have to do with or be involved in or with > involve in something
lapa1340
implyc1374
engage1593
dipa1627
concern1675
involve1704
implicate1798
intrigue1899
c1440 Gesta Romanorum (1838) ii. i. 276 His conscience..involves hym in grete sorowes and diseases of hert, for his synne.
1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in Wks. G. Chaucer i. f. cccxxviv These thynges..haue me so enuolued with care, that wanhope of helpe is throughout me ronne.
1665 T. Herbert Some Years Trav. (new ed.) 321 Involved with more perplexity now than ever, he was at his wits end.
1704 London Gaz. No. 4058/5 The Differences wherein he finds himself..envolved with the Emperor.
1716 F. Atterbury Epistolary Corr. (1783) I. 35 Involving me designedly into those squabbles.
1828 I. D'Israeli Comm. Life Charles I I. xi. 300 The war in which Charles was now involved..was of the most popular character.
1847 J. Yeowell Chron. Anc. Brit. Church x. 104 Their misconduct soon involved both kings and people in one common ruin.
1871 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues I. 270 You imagine that you will involve me in a contradiction.
1898 A. W. W. Dale Life R. W. Dale ii. 35 Mr. Müller had been involved in financial difficulties.
5. To implicate in a charge or crime; to cause or prove (a person) to be concerned in it.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > accusation, charge > accuse [verb (transitive)] > involve, implicate
inculp1612
involve1655
spot1718
implicate1797
inculpate1840
rib1926
society > law > administration of justice > general proceedings > accusation, allegation, or indictment > charge, accuse, or indict [verb (transitive)] > involve in charge
involve1655
incriminate1736
1655 E. Nicholas Nicholas Papers (1892) II. 255 Hee [the King] passed fower arrests, which inuolued diuers to the great dissatisfaction of many Presidents.
1660 R. Coke Justice Vindicated 16 That the King may be involved in the same crime with themselves, he [Strafford] must die by Act of Parliament.
1695 R. Blackmore Prince Arthur i. 9 Let not my Crime involve the innocent.
1838 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece (new ed.) III. 391 It was the interest of the enemies of Alcibiades..to involve as many persons as they could in the charge.
1885 Dict. National Biogr. III. 213/2 He was soon induced..to make confessions which seriously involved the duke.
6. transitive. To include; to contain, imply.† a. Of a person, or with reference to personal action: To include covertly in or under something; to wrap up. Also in indirect passive. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning ii. sig. Ee3 When the Secrets and Misteries of Religion..are inuolued in Fables or Parables. View more context for this quotation
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica iii. xii. 132 Some have written Mystically, as Paracelsus,..involving therein the secret of their Elixir, and enigmatically expressing the nature of their great worke. View more context for this quotation
1710 G. Berkeley Treat. Princ. Human Knowl. §119 They have dreamed of mighty mysteries involved in numbers.
1724 A. Collins Disc. Grounds Christian Relig. 85 The antient Greek Poets were reputed to involve divine, and natural..notions of their gods under mystical and parabolical expressions.
b. Of a thing: To include within its folds or ramifications; to contain, comprise, comprehend. Now chiefly Mathematics, or passing into 6c.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > incorporation or inclusion > incorporate or include [verb (transitive)]
beclipc1230
beshut1340
contain1340
comprehendc1374
continue1377
begripe1393
close1393
incorpor1398
conceive?c1400
includec1475
engrossa1500
complect1523
conclude?1523
employ1528
to take in1534
retain1577
surmise1578
imprehend1590
immerse1605
comprise1651
involve1651
complexa1657
embrace1697
incorporate1824
embody1847
cover1868
1651 C. Cartwright Certamen Religiosum i. 15 The Church of England involves all the Brittains within her Communion.
1799 Wilson in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 89 298 It involves..not a cube, but a truncate sixth power in a cubic shape.
1811 I. M. Williams (title) The Dramatic Censor..involving a correct register of every night's Performances at our Metropolitan Theatres.
1875 I. Todhunter Algebra for Schools (ed. 7) xix. §299 Any equation which involves rational quantities and quadratic surds.
c. esp. To contain implicitly; to include as a necessary (and therefore unexpressed) feature, circumstance, antecedent condition, or consequence; to imply, entail.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > information > hint or covert suggestion > hint at or suggest [verb (transitive)]
inkle1340
induce1481
alludec1487
signifya1535
insinuate1561
to glance at (upon, against)1570
thrust1574
imply1581
adumbrate1589
intimate1590
innuate?1611
glancea1616
ministera1616
perstringea1620
shadow1621
subinduce1640
involve1646
equivocate1648
hint1648
subindicate1654
hint at1697
suggest1697
indicate1751
surmise1820
to get at ——1875
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > incorporation or inclusion > incorporate or include [verb (transitive)] > implicitly
carry1581
implicate1602
to wind upa1616
enwrap1642
enfold1646
involve1646
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica v. xxi. 267 Wherein (although most know not what they say) there are involved unknowne considerations. View more context for this quotation
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan iii. xl. 249 Their wills..were before the Contract involved in the will of Abraham.
1809–10 S. T. Coleridge Friend (1865) 23 In moral truth, we involve likewise the intention of the speaker, that his words should correspond to his thoughts in the sense in which he expects them to be understood.
1839 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece VI. xlv. 43 The submission of Byzantium would probably involve that of Perinthus.
1855 T. T. Lynch Rivulet xc. 132 Some new task Involving care and strife.
1892 B. F. Westcott Gospel of Life p. xviii Every argument involves some assumptions.
d. To include or affect in its operation.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > operation upon something > have effect on [verb (transitive)]
rineOE
takec1300
concern1446
redound1460
work1487
touch1491
solicit1601
salutea1616
enact1616
affect1630
reach1637
attinge1640
act1655
influence1661
irradiate1668
vibrate1845
involve1847
inwork1855
to cut ice (with someone)1894
dent1931
impact1935
to make (also put) a dent in1942
the world > action or operation > operation upon something > have effect on [verb (transitive)] > involve in the action of something
embark1584
implicate1798
involve1847
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > condition or state of being inclusive > include [verb (transitive)] > include in its scope
comprehendc1386
overlaya1400
sweep1692
cover1793
involve1847
1847 L. H. Kerr tr. L. von Ranke Hist. Servia 4 To promote those general ideas which involve the destiny of the human race.
1857 J. Ruskin Polit. Econ. Art i. 6 It will..be held a worthy subject of consideration, what are the political interests involved in such accumulations.
a1885 U. S. Grant Pers. Mem. II. 531 Men who..could not be induced to serve as soldiers, except in an emergency, when the safety of the nation was involved.
7. To roll up within itself, to envelop and take in; to overwhelm and swallow up.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > wrapping > wrap [verb (transitive)] > enfold or envelop > in a surrounding medium > swallow up
swallowc1175
to swallow up1526
devour1555
engulf1555
abyss1596
involve1605
flapdragona1616
to suck upa1616
ingurgitatea1620
absorbeate1623
exorbeate1623
entomba1631
gulf1807
begulf1809
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning i. sig. B2v I learned that the same mortalitie inuolueth them both. View more context for this quotation
1649 Bp. J. Taylor Great Exemplar §27 They..were all involved and swallowed up into the body of the sun of righteousness.
1742 A. Pope New Dunciad 82 The gath'ring number, as it moves along, Involves a vast involuntary throng.
1744 J. Thomson Summer in Seasons (new ed.) 97 The stormy Fates descend: one Death involves Tyrants and Slaves.
1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam cxxviii. 200 My love involves the love before; My love is vaster passion now. View more context for this quotation
8. Mathematics. To multiply (a quantity) into itself any desired number of times; to raise to a power. Now rare or Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > arithmetic or algebraic operations > perform arithmetic or algebraic operations [verb (transitive)] > multiply > by itself or raise to a particular power
quaderc1450
to multiply quadrantlya1552
square?a1560
cube1588
quadrate1613
square-square1670
involve1673
to raise to a power1675
cubify1676
figuratea1690
(to multiply) figuratelya1690
biquadrate1694
1673 J. Kersey Elem. Algebra I. i. i. 3 These numbers..are usually called the Indices, or Exponents of those Powers..because they shew..how many times the Root is involved or multiplyed in producing each Power respectively.
1706 W. Jones Synopsis Palmariorum Matheseos 46.
1811 C. Hutton Course Math. (ed. 6) I. 191 Let a + x be involved to the 5th power.
1875 I. Todhunter Algebra for Schools (ed. 7) xvi. §222 If the quantity which is to be involved be a fraction, both its numerator and its denominator must be raised to the proposed power.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > thought > continued thinking, reflection, contemplation > thinking about, consideration, deliberation > consider, deliberate [verb (transitive)]
i-thenchec897
showeOE
i-mune971
thinkOE
overthinkOE
takec1175
umbethinkc1175
waltc1200
bethinkc1220
wend?c1225
weighc1380
delivera1382
peisea1382
considerc1385
musec1390
to look over ——a1393
advise?c1400
debatec1400
roll?c1400
revert?a1425
advertc1425
deliberc1425
movec1425
musec1425
revolvec1425
contemplec1429
overseec1440
to think overc1440
perpend1447
roil1447
pondera1450
to eat inc1450
involvec1470
ponderate?a1475
reputec1475
counterpoise1477
poisea1483
traversec1487
umbecast1487
digest1488
undercast1489
overhalec1500
rumble1519
volve?1520
compassa1522
recount1526
trutinate1528
cast1530
expend1531
ruminate1533
concoct1534
contemplate1538
deliberate1540
revolute1553
chawa1558
to turn over1568
cud1569
cogitate1570
huik1570
chew1579
meditatec1580
discourse1581
speculate1599
theorize1599
scance1603
verse1614
pensitate1623
agitate1629
spell1633
view1637
study1659
designa1676
introspect1683
troll1685
balance1692
to figure on or upon1837
reflect1862
mull1873
to mull over1874
scour1882
mill1905
c1470 J. Hardyng Chron. lxxv. ii The kyng..in his mynde ymagened and inuolued Howe sone and when..They might agayn bee consociate.
Derivatives
inˈvolving n. and adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > wrapping > [adjective] > enfolding or enveloping
folden1435
folded1570
involving1611
investing1615
circumvolving1638
obsident1644
circumvolved1668
enfolding1669
investient1695
shrining1826
enveloping1828
enwrapping1850
scarfing1897
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > [adjective] > devouring
nimminga1225
devouringa1382
swallowinga1400
whelmingc1440
consumingc1475
wide-mouthed1567
devoratory1647
consumptive1651
bloodsucking1658
involving1737
engulfing1761
1611 J. Florio Queen Anna's New World of Words Inuoglia, an enuoluing.
1660 R. Boyle New Exper. Physico-mechanicall Digress. 374 The upper part of the involving Amnios.
1737 R. Glover Leonidas ii. 172 Rapid torrents of involving flames.
1880 Mem. John Legge vii. 84 A seemingly needless involving of the truth.
inˈvolver n. one who or that which involves.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > incorporation or inclusion > [noun] > implicit inclusion > one who or that which involves
involventa1834
involver?c1860
?c1860 L. Oliphant in Athenæum (1891) 23 May 659/3 The hand that has used a revolver..does not waver with a pen, though the lines he traces may be an involver of a revolver again.
Draft additions 1993
b. passive (or as participial adj.) More generally, to be occupied, engrossed, or embroiled in; to be concerned or associated with.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > be occupied or busy (in or at something) [verb (intransitive)] > be involved in or have to do with something
entermetec1300
to make (a) market1340
meddlec1390
to do with ——a1400
mell1416
intermeddle1477
intermell1480
to have art or (and) part ina1500
participate1531
to have a finger (also hand) in the pie?1553
tigc1598
get1727
concern1791
involve1843
to mix up1882
tew1891
to screw with ——1973
the world > relative properties > relationship > relate to [verb (transitive)] > involve, concern, or bring into relation
interess1570
interest1608
concern1676
involve1944
1843 Hist. Berwickshire Naturalists' Club 2 66 Many were deeply involved in smuggling, and..carried on with little secrecy or restraint their contraband commerce.
1907 F. W. Lanchester Aerodynamics 393 Aerodonetics,..the science specifically involved in problems connected with the stability or equilibrium of an aerodone or aerodrome.
1940 Chicago Tribune 28 Jan. 1/8 A typical goon murder was the recent killing in Chicago of..a garageman involved in a union dispute.
1944 S. Bellow Dangling Man 25 I was involved with them; because, whether I liked it or not, they were my generation, my society, my world.
1969 Observer 16 Feb. 7/5 Those involved in the ornithological expedition have had to receive military clearance.
1983 B. Emecheta Rape of Shavi (1985) xx. 167 Mendoza was one of those people one liked to know but not really be involved with.
1991 ‘C. Fremlin’ Dangerous Thoughts x. 79 To get involved in another web of lying was too much; my whole soul shrank from it in exhaustion.
Draft additions 1993
c. Chiefly in passive (or as participial adj.). To commit (oneself) emotionally; spec. to have a sexual relationship with.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > love affair > have affectionate or sexual relationship [verb (intransitive)]
to hook up1903
to get with ——1916
involve1936
to have a thing (with a person)1959
to have something going (with someone)1971
1936 R. Lehmann Weather in Streets iii. 293 I feel certain his beastly parents interfered—thought he was getting too involved.
1955 O. Manning Doves of Venus i. ii. 7 He had involved himself with Ellie from habit.
1970 I. Murdoch Fairly Honourable Defeat ii. ix. 285 She did not really think that Rupert and Morgan were involved with each other.
1984 J. Gathorne-Hardy Doctors (1987) xxxi. 296 I don't think you can help people unless you're prepared to be involved.
1990 R. Blount First Hubby 133 I was not horny or crazy enough to get involved with a Klanswoman even if I weren't already in love..with a Maid of Orleans whose cause I believed in.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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