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involution |
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involution [‚in·və′lü·shən] (biology) A turning or rolling in. (embryology) Gastrulation by ingrowth of blastomeres around the dorsal lip. (mathematics) Any transformation that is its own inverse. In particular, a correspondence between the points on a line that is its own inverse, given algebraically byx′ = (ax+b)/(cx-a), wherea2+bc≠ 0. A correspondence between the lines passing through a given point on a plane such that corresponding lines pass through corresponding points of an involution of points on a line. (medicine) The retrogressive change to their normal condition that organs undergo after fulfilling their functional purposes, as the uterus after pregnancy. The period of regression or the processes of decline or decay which occur in the human constitution after middle life. How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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| "Talking of Herbert Spencer," he began, "do you really find no logical difficulty in regarding Nature as a process of involution, passing from definite coherent homogeneity to indefinite incoherent heterogeneity? Now that which is of divine birth has a period which is contained in a perfect number, but the period of human birth is comprehended in a number in which first increments by involution and evolution (or squared and cubed) obtaining three intervals and four terms of like and unlike, waxing and waning numbers, make all the terms commensurable and agreeable to one another. The tale itself is a mere sketch, with no involution of plot, nor any great interest of events, yet possessing, if I have rehearsed it aright, that pensive influence over the mind which the shadow of the old Province House flings upon the loiterer in its court-yard. |
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