convolere

Convolere is a Latin verb meaning to roll together, to gather into a mass, or to bring into union. The form is built from the prefix con- meaning “together” and volvere, “to roll,” and thus roughly denotes turning separate elements into a single whole. In classical usage, it could refer to physically rolling or piling materials; figuratively, it came to mean to unite, join, or attach in a bond.

One extended sense is the formation of a marriage; in idiomatic or ceremonial language the verb is used to express entering into wedlock, equivalent to “to marry” or “to be married.” This sense is literary or legal rather than everyday speech in Latin texts.

Convolere is attested in classical and late Latin; the latter more often in legal or rhetorical contexts. Because it is a compound verb with con-, it behaves like other -ere verbs in conjugation; dictionaries provide complete forms, but the exact pattern can vary by author and era.

Today, convolere appears mainly in philological or historical discussions of Latin vocabulary, illustrating how a physical action of bringing objects together could extend to social contracts such as marriage.

See also: coniux, nuptiae, conventio.