COMPLEX
complex
(adjective) complicated in structure; consisting of interconnected parts; âa complex set of variations based on a simple folk melodyâ; âa complex mass of diverse laws and customsâ
complicated, complex
(adjective) difficult to analyze or understand; âa complicated problemâ; âcomplicated Middle East politicsâ; âheâs more complex than he seems on the surfaceâ
complex, composite
(noun) a conceptual whole made up of complicated and related parts; âthe complex of shopping malls, houses, and roads created a new townâ
complex
(noun) (psychoanalysis) a combination of emotions and impulses that have been rejected from awareness but still influence a personâs behavior
complex, coordination compound
(noun) a compound described in terms of the central atom to which other atoms are bound or coordinated
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Adjective
complex (comparative complexer or more complex, superlative complexest or most complex)
Made up of multiple parts; composite; not simple.
Not simple, easy, or straightforward; complicated.
(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 â1.
(mathematics, analysis, of a function) Whose range is a subset of the complex numbers.
(mathematics, algebra) Whose coefficients are complex numbers; defined over the field of complex numbers.
(geometry) A curve, polygon or other figure that crosses or intersects itself.
Synonyms
• (not simple): complicated, detailed, difficult, hard, intricate, involved, tough
Antonyms
• (not simple): basic, easy, simple, simplex, straightforward
Noun
complex (plural complexes or complices)
A problem.
A network of interconnected systems.
A collection of buildings with a common purpose, such as a university or military base.
An assemblage of related things; a collection.
An organized cluster of thunderstorms.
A cluster of wildfires burning in the same vicinity.
(taxonomy) A group of closely related species, often distinguished only with difficulty by traditional morphological methods.
(psychoanalysis) An abnormal mental condition caused by repressed emotions.
(informal, by extension) A vehement, often excessive psychological dislike or fear of a particular thing.
(chemistry) A structure consisting of a central atom or molecule weakly connected to surrounding atoms or molecules.
(math) A complex number.
Verb
complex (third-person singular simple present complexes, present participle complexing, simple past and past participle complexed)
(chemistry, intransitive) To form a complex with another substance
(transitive) To complicate.
Source: Wiktionary
Com"plex, a. Etym: [L. complexus, p. p. of complecti to entwine
around, comprise; com- + plectere to twist, akin to plicare to fold.
See Plait, n.]
1. Composed of two or more parts; composite; not simple; as, a
complex being; a complex idea.
Ideas thus made up of several simple ones put together, I call
complex; such as beauty, gratitude, a man, an army, the universe.
Locke.
2. Involving many parts; complicated; intricate.
When the actual motions of the heavens are calculated in the best
possible way, the process is difficult and complex. Whewell.
Complex fraction. See Fraction.
– Complex number (Math.), in the theory of numbers, an expression
of the form a + bsq. root-1, when a and b are ordinary integers.
Syn.
– See Intricate.
Com"plex, n. Etym: [L. complexus]
Definition: Assemblage of related things; colletion; complication.
This parable of the wedding supper comprehends in it the whole
complex of all the blessings and privileges exhibited by the gospel.
South.
Complex of lines (Geom.), all the possible straight lines in space
being considered, the entire system of lines which satisfy a single
relation constitute a complex; as, all the lines which meet a given
curve make up a complex. The lines which satisfy two relations
constitute a congruency of lines; as, the entire system of lines,
each one of which meets two given surfaces, is a congruency.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition