[lab.y.rinth] n [ME laborintus, fr. L labyrinthus, fr. Gk labyrinthos] (14c) 1 a: a place constructed of or full of intricate passageways and blind alleys b: a maze (as in a garden) formed by paths separated by high hedges
2: something extremely complex or tortuous in structure, arrangement, or character: intricacy, perplexity "a ~ of swamps and channels" "guided them through the ~s of city life --Paul Blanshard"
3: a tortuous anatomical structure; esp: the internal ear or its bony or membranous part