n. & adj.
--n.
1. a building, a series of rooms, a network, etc. made up of related parts (the arts complex).
2 Psychol. a related group of usu. repressed feelings or thoughts which cause abnormal behaviour or mental states (see inferiority complex (see OEDIPUS COMPLEX)).
3 (in general use) a preoccupation or obsession (has a complex about punctuality).
4 Chem. a compound in which molecules or ions form coordinate bonds to a metal atom or ion.
--adj.
1. consisting of related parts; composite.
2 complicated (a complex problem).
3 Math. containing real and imaginary parts (cf. IMAGINARY).
Phrases and idioms:
complex sentence a sentence containing a subordinate clause or clauses.
Derivatives:
complexity n. (pl. -ies). complexly adv.
Etymology: F complexe or L complexus past part. of complectere embrace, assoc. with complexus plaited