ˌkämpləˈkāshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Late Latin complication-, complicatio from Latin complicatus + -ion-, -io -ion
1. obsolete : a folding together : the quality or state of being folded together
2.
a. obsolete : an intimate combining : the quality or state of being intimately combined
b. psychology : the combination of sense data (as from different senses) into a unitary impression
3.
a. : a complicated relationship of parts
because of its complication no mechanic would touch the engine
b. : a making difficult, involved, or intricate
his complication of our plans by not showing up on time
c. : a complex or intricate feature or element
the complications of jet aircraft
or one that makes complex or intricate
omitted Canada because of the complications of the bilingual culture of sections of that country — J.B.Conant
d. : a difficult factor or issue often appearing suddenly and unexpectedly and changing existing plans, methods, or attitudes
another complication … was the excess of imports over exports — Collier's Year Book
complications arose on all sides
e. : a situation or a detail of a character entering into and complicating the main thread of a plot
4.
[French, from Medieval Latin complication-, complicatio, from Late Latin]
: a secondary disease or condition developing in the course of a primary disease either as a result of the primary disease or arising from independent causes