convolution

Meanings

1. A twist or fold.
2. Any of the folds on the surface of the brain.
3. The shape of something rotating; a vortex.
4. The state or condition of being convoluted.
5. A mathematical operation on two functions that produces a third that expresses how the shape of one is modified by the other; the integral of the product of the two functions after one is reflected about the y-axis and shifted along the x-axis.
6. A function which maps a tuple of sequences into a sequence of tuples.
7. One 360° turn in a spring or similar helix.

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ḱe Proto-Indo-European *ḱóm Proto-Italic *kom Proto-Italic *kom- Latin con- Proto-Indo-European *welH-der. Proto-Italic *wolwō Latin volvō Latin convolvō Latin convolūtusbor. English -tion English convolution Borrowed from Latin convolutus (“to roll together”), past participle of convolvere, from con- + volvere (“to roll”), with the suffix -tion. Equivalent to convolute + -ion. The mathematical sense is a semantic calque from Faltung.