complex
UK /ˈkɒmplɛks/ · US /kɑmˈplɛks/ adjective, noun, verb
Forms complexer complexest complexes complices complexing complexed
- adjective Made up of multiple parts; composite; not simple. “a complex being; a complex idea”
- adjective Not simple, easy, or straightforward; complicated.
- adjective (mathematics, of a number) Having the form a + bi, where a and b are real numbers and i is (by definition) the imaginary square root of −1. “complex number”
- adjective (mathematics, mathematical analysis, of a function) Whose range is a subset of the complex numbers. “complex function”
- adjective (mathematics, algebra) Whose coefficients are complex numbers; defined over the field of complex numbers. “complex polynomial”
- adjective (geometry) A curve, polygon or other figure that crosses or intersects itself.
- noun A network of interconnected systems. “military–industrial complex”
- noun A collection of buildings with a common purpose, such as a university or military base.
- noun An assemblage of related things; a collection.
- noun An organized cluster of thunderstorms.
- noun A cluster of wildfires burning in the same vicinity. “The fire complex began as two separate fires.”
- noun (taxonomy) A group of closely related species, often distinguished only with difficulty by traditional morphological methods.
- noun (psychology) A group of emotionally charged ideas or mental factors, unconsciously associated by the individual with a particular subject, arising from repressed instincts, fears, or desires and often resulting in mental abnormality. “Jim has a real complex about working for a woman boss.”
- noun A fixed mental tendency or obsession.
- verb (chemistry, intransitive) To form a complex with another substance.
- verb (transitive) To complicate.
Synonyms
complicated detailed difficult hard intricate involved tough complexed complicate convoluted Gordian involute involutional knotty labyrinthal labyrinthine manifold species complex species group species aggregate composite coordination compound building complex
Antonyms
basic easy simple simplex straightforward as a duck takes to water prosaic no-fuss easy as 123 easy as ABC easy as cake easy as pie
Etymology
From French complexe, from Latin complexus, past participle of complector (“to entwine, encircle, compass, infold”), from com- (“together”) and plectō (“to weave, braid”). May be analyzed as com- + -plex. See complect. Doublet of complexus.
Webster’s 1913
- adjective Composed of two or more parts; composite; not simple; as, a complex being; a complex idea.
- adjective Involving many parts; complicated; intricate.
- noun Assemblage of related things; colletion; complication.
Etymology [L. complexus, p. p. of complecti to entwine around, comprise; com- + plectere to twist, akin to plicare to fold. See Plait, n.]
Etymology [L. complexus]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “complex”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details