in ‧ tri ‧ cate /ˈɪntrɪkət, ˈɪntrɪkɪt/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: past participle of intricare 'to mix up in a complicated way' , from tricae 'small unimportant things, things that get in your way' ]
containing many small parts or details that all work or fit together ⇨ complex :
intricate patterns
—intricately adverb :
intricately woven fabric
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THESAURUS
▪ complicated consisting of a lot of different parts or details and therefore difficult to understand:
The rules of the game seemed very complicated.
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I didn’t realize programming the VCR would be so complicated.
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The brain is like a very powerful, very complicated computer.
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a complicated issue
▪ complex a complex process, relationship etc is difficult to understand because it has a lot of parts that are all connected in different ways:
The chemical processes involved are extremely complex.
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the complex relationship between government and the media
▪ elaborate having a lot of parts or details and very carefully planned, but often more complicated than is necessary:
Mike had worked out an elaborate system for categorizing his collection of DVDs.
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The plan to kidnap her had become even more elaborate.
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Sociologists have been coming up with increasingly elaborate theories to explain unsafe sexual practices.
▪ involved very long and complicated – use this especially about something that you think should be made simpler:
The system for choosing candidates is very involved, and I won’t go into it here.
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Adopting a child can be a long involved process.
▪ convoluted too complicated and difficult to understand – used especially about someone’s language or arguments, or about a system:
convoluted sentences
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Procedures for government funding have become more convoluted.
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James’s books are full of long paragraphs and convoluted sentences, which many people do not find appealing.
▪ intricate having a lot of small parts or details – used especially about something that is cleverly designed or made:
Lasers are used to cut intricate designs in the metal.
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The farmers use an intricate system of drainage canals.
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the intricate workings of a watch
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intricate patterns of coloured marble