convoluted

1. (chiefly anatomy, zoology) Having numerous overlapping coils or folds; convolute.Examples: "[B]y the means of theſe hooks, and Spikes it [a tapeworm in the intestines] might faſten it ſelf, and ſo prevent it's too eaſy ejection out of the body. For it being ſo very long, and large too, and it's body in many places winding, and convoluted, the deſcent of the fæces upon all occaſions would be apt to carry it out with them; had it not this hold, [...]"; "The figure [of the constellation Anguilla] is that of the common eel in that convoluted ſtate in which it is uſually ſeen when in motion."; "Petals five, generally reflected, the three exterior ovate, hollowed; the two interior longer and convoluted."Synonyms: meandrine, obvolute, torquated, tortuousAntonyms: unconvoluted

2. (figuratively) Complex, complicated, or intricate.Examples: "He gave a convoluted explanation that amounted to little more than a weak excuse for his absence."; "There is a convoluted cypher which designates the name and titles of the Sultan, contained in a single complicated figure, which is seen on the coins of the empire, and on all public edifices."; "The river Meander [now the Büyük Menderes River] is perhaps the most celebrated of all antiquity, and has been made a generic term, in most languages, to designate a winding stream; [...] It afforded Dædalus the model for his labyrinth, and travellers have discovered in many parts the various accurate outlines of some of the most convoluted letters of the Greek alphabet."Synonyms: complex, complexed, complicate, complicated, convoluted, Gordian, involute, intricateAntonyms: unconvolutedfiguratively