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Webster 1913 Edition


Complex

Com′plex

(kŏm′plĕks)
,
Adj.
[L.
complexus
, p. p. of
complecti
to entwine around, comprise;
com-
+
plectere
to twist, akin to
plicare
to fold. See
Plait
,
Noun.
]
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.
Syn. – See
Intricate
.

Com′plex

,
Noun.
[L.
complexus
]
Assemblage of related things; collection; 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.

Webster 1828 Edition


Complex

COMPLEX

,

Definition 2024


complex

complex

English

Adjective

complex (comparative more complex, superlative most complex)

  1. Made up of multiple parts; composite; not simple.
    a complex being; a complex idea
    • John Locke
      Ideas thus made up of several simple ones put together, I call complex; such as beauty, gratitude, a man, an army, the universe.
  2. Not simple, easy, or straightforward; complicated.
    • Whewell
      When the actual motions of the heavens are calculated in the best possible way, the process is difficult and complex.
  3. (mathematics) Of a number, of the form a + bi, where a and b are real numbers and i is a square root of 1.
    complex function
  4. (geometry) A curve, polygon or other figure that crosses or intersects itself.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

Noun

complex (plural complexes or complices)

  1. A problem.
  2. A collection of buildings with a common purpose, such as a university or military base.
  3. Assemblage of related things; collection.
    • South
      This parable of the wedding supper comprehends in it the whole complex of all the blessings and privileges exhibited by the gospel.
  4. A psychological dislike or fear of a particular thing.
    Jim has a real complex about working for a woman boss.
  5. An organized cluster of thunderstorms.
  6. (chemistry) A structure consisting of a central atom or molecule weakly connected to surrounding atoms or molecules.
    • 2013 September-October, Katie L. Burke, In the News”, in American Scientist:
      Oxygen levels on Earth skyrocketed 2.4 billion years ago, when cyanobacteria evolved photosynthesis: [] . The evolutionary precursor of photosynthesis is still under debate, and a new study sheds light. The critical component of the photosynthetic system is the water-oxidizing complex, made up of manganese atoms and a calcium atom.

Derived terms

Translations

Verb

complex (third-person singular simple present complexes, present participle complexing, simple past and past participle complexed)

  1. (chemistry, intransitive) To form a complex with another substance

Translations


Catalan

Adjective

complex m (feminine complexa, masculine plural complexos, feminine plural complexes)

  1. complex

Noun

complex m (plural complexos)

  1. complex

Dutch

Pronunciation

Adjective

complex (comparative complexer, superlative meest complex or complext)

  1. complex

Inflection

Inflection of complex
uninflected complex
inflected complexe
comparative complexer
positive comparative superlative
predicative/adverbial complex complexer het complext
het complexte
indefinite m./f. sing. complexe complexere complexte
n. sing. complex complexer complexte
plural complexe complexere complexte
definite complexe complexere complexte
partitive complex complexers

Noun

complex n (plural complexen, diminutive complexje n)

  1. complex

Romanian

Etymology

French complexe, from Latin complexus

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): [komˈpleks]

Adjective

complex m, n (feminine singular complexă, masculine plural complecși, feminine and neuter plural complexe)

  1. complex

Declension

Antonyms

Derived terms