I. ˈkäm-ˌpleks 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
II. käm-ˈpleks, kəm-ˈ, ˈkäm-ˌ adjective
Etymology: Latin complexus, past participle of complecti to embrace, comprise (a multitude of objects), from com- + plectere to braid — more at ply
Date: 1645
1.
a. : composed of two or more parts : composite
b.
(1) of a word : having a bound form as one or more of its immediate constituents
unmanly is a complex word
(2) of a sentence : consisting of a main clause and one or more subordinate clauses
2. : hard to separate, analyze, or solve
3. : of, concerned with, being, or containing complex numbers
a complex root
complex analysis
• com·plex·ly adverb
• com·plex·ness noun
Synonyms:
complex , complicated , intricate , involved , knotty mean having confusingly interrelated parts. complex suggests the unavoidable result of a necessary combining and does not imply a fault or failure
a complex recipe
complicated applies to what offers great difficulty in understanding, solving, or explaining
complicated legal procedures
intricate suggests such interlacing of parts as to make it nearly impossible to follow or grasp them separately
an intricate web of deceit
involved implies extreme complication and often disorder
a rambling, involved explanation
knotty suggests complication and entanglement that make solution or understanding improbable
knotty ethical questions
III. same as 2 transitive verb
Date: 1658
1. : to make complex or into a complex
2. : chelate
• com·plex·a·tion ˌkäm-ˌplek-ˈsā-shən, kəm- noun