n.
Pronunciation: ' käm- ˌ pleks
Function: noun
Etymology: Late Latin complexus totality, from Latin, embrace, from complecti
Date: 1643
1 : a whole made up of complicated or interrelated parts <a complex of welfare programs> <the military-industrial complex >
2 a : a group of culture traits relating to a single activity (as hunting), process (as use of flint), or culture unit b (1) : a group of repressed desires and memories that exerts a dominating influence upon the personality (2) : an exaggerated reaction to or preoccupation with a subject or situation c : a group of obviously related units of which the degree and nature of the relationship is imperfectly known d : the sum of factors (as symptoms) characterizing a disease or condition
3 : a chemical association of two or more species (as ions or molecules) joined usually by weak electrostatic bonds rather than covalent bonds
4 : a building or group of buildings housing related units <an apartment complex > <a sports complex >