SYNONYMS FOR complex
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Origin of complex
First recorded in 1645–55; 1905–10 for def. 7; adjective from Latin complexus, past participle of complectī, complectere “to embrace, encompass, include,” equivalent to complect- (see complect) + -tus past participle suffix; noun from Late Latin complexus “totality, complex” (Latin: “inclusion, grasping, embrace”), equivalent to complect(ere) + -tus suffix of verb action; reanalysis of the Latin verb as “to intertwine (completely)” influenced sense of the adjective
OTHER WORDS FROM complex
Words nearby complex
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for complex
British Dictionary definitions for complex
complex
/ (ˈkɒmplɛks) /
adjective
noun
Derived forms of complex
complexly, adverbcomplexness, nounWord Origin for complex
C17: from Latin complexus, from complectī to entwine, from com- together + plectere to braid
usage for complex
Complex is sometimes wrongly used where complicated is meant. Complex is properly used to say only that something consists of several parts. It should not be used to say that, because something consists of many parts, it is difficult to understand or analyse
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Medical definitions for complex
complex
[ kŏm′plĕks′ ]
n.
adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.