Involution may refer to:
Mathematics
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Involution (mathematics)
In mathematics, an involution, involutory function, or self-inverse function is a function that is its own inverse,
:
for all in the domain of . Equivalently, applying twice produces the original value.
General properties
Any involution ...
, a function that is its own inverse
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Involution algebra, a *-algebra: a type of algebraic structure
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Involute
In mathematics, an involute (also known as an evolvent) is a particular type of curve that is dependent on another shape or curve. An involute of a curve is the Locus (mathematics), locus of a point on a piece of taut string as the string is eith ...
, a construction in the differential geometry of curves
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Exponentiation
In mathematics, exponentiation, denoted , is an operation (mathematics), operation involving two numbers: the ''base'', , and the ''exponent'' or ''power'', . When is a positive integer, exponentiation corresponds to repeated multiplication ...
(archaic use of the term)
Other uses
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Involution (medicine) Involution is the shrinking or return of an organ to a former size. At a cellular level, involution is characterized by the process of proteolysis of the basement membrane (basal lamina), leading to epithelial regression and apoptosis, with accompan ...
, the shrinking of an organ (such as the uterus after pregnancy)
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Neijuan
Neijuan ( IPA: ) is the Chinese calque of the English word ''Agricultural Involution, involution''. ''Neijuan'' is written with two characters which mean "inside" and "rolling". ''Neijuan'' has disseminated to nearly all walks of life in mainl ...
, or involution, a Chinese social concept
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Agricultural Involution
''Agricultural Involution: The Processes of Ecological Change in Indonesia'' is one of the most famous of the early works of Clifford Geertz. Its principal thesis is that many centuries of intensifying wet-rice cultivation in Indonesia had produc ...
'', a 1963 study of intensification of production through increased labour inputs
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Involution (esoterism)
The term involution has various meanings. In some instances it refers to a process prior to evolution which gives rise to the cosmos, in others it is an aspect of evolution, and in still others it is a process that follows the completion of evoluti ...
, several notions of a counterpart to evolution
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Involution (Meher Baba)
''God Speaks: The Theme of Creation and Its Purpose'' is the principal book by Meher Baba, and the most significant scripture used by his followers. It covers Meher Baba's view of the process of creation and its purpose and has been in print con ...
, the inner path of the human soul to the self as described by Meher Baba
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Involution (Sri Aurobindo), term in the philosophy of Sri Aurobindo
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''Involution'' (album), a 1998 music album by Michael Marcus and the Jaki Byard trio
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