revolting

the word 'revolting' originates from the verb 'revolt,' which entered english in the mid-16th century from french révolter, itself derived from italian rivoltare, meaning "to turn over, overturn." this italian term stems from the vulgar latin revolvitare, an intensive form of the latin revolvere ("to roll back"). the latin components are re- ("back") and volvere ("to roll"). the core semantic thread from "rolling back" evolved into "turning against authority," hence "rebelling." the adjective 'revolting' developed from the present participle of the verb, initially describing participants in a revolt. by the late 18th century, its meaning extended metaphorically to describe something so offensive it figuratively causes one's stomach to "turn over" or rebel, solidifying its primary modern sense of being utterly disgusting.

Structure: re (again, back) + volt (turn, roll) + ing (adjective suffix) - re: a latin prefix meaning "again, back, against." - volt: from the latin root volv-/volut-, meaning "to turn, to roll." the form 'volt' is a direct substring of the modern spelling. - ing: an english suffix forming present participles and adjectives from verbs.