Mathematics. pertaining to or using complex numbers: complex methods; complex vector space.
–noun
6.
an intricate or complicated association or assemblage of related things, parts, units, etc.: the entire complex of our educational system; an apartment complex.
7.
Psychology. a system of interrelated, emotion-charged ideas, feelings, memories, and impulses that is usually repressed and that gives rise to abnormal or pathological behavior.
8.
a fixed idea; an obsessive notion.
9.
Mathematics.
a.
an arbitrary set of elements of a group.
b.
a collection of simplexes having specified properties.
10.
Also called coordination compound.Chemistry. a compound in which independently existing molecules or ions of a nonmetal (complexing agent) form coordinate bonds with a metal atom or ion. Compare ligand(def. 2).
11.
Biochemistry. an entity composed of molecules in which the constituents maintain much of their chemical identity: receptor-hormone complex, enzyme-substrate complex.
–verb (used with object)
12.
Chemistry. to form a complex with.
–verb (used without object)
13.
Chemistry. to form a complex.
[Origin: 1645–55; 1905–10 for def. 7; (adj.) < L complexus, ptp. of complectī, complectere to embrace, encompass, include, equiv. to complect- (see complect) + -tus ptp. suffix; (n.) < LL complexus totality, complex (L: inclusion, grasping, embrace), equiv. to complect(ere) + -tus suffix of v. action; reanalysis of the L v. as “to intertwine (completely)” has influenced sense of the adj.]
Consisting of interconnected or interwoven parts; composite.
Composed of two or more units: a complex carbohydrate.
Consisting of at least one bound form. Used of a word.
Consisting of an independent clause and at least one other independent or dependent clause. Used of a sentence.
Involved or intricate, as in structure; complicated.
Grammar
Consisting of at least one bound form. Used of a word.
Consisting of an independent clause and at least one other independent or dependent clause. Used of a sentence.
n.
(kŏm'plěks')
A whole composed of interconnected or interwoven parts: a complex of cities and suburbs; the military-industrial complex.
In psychology, a group of related, often repressed ideas and impulses that compel characteristic or habitual patterns of thought, feelings, and behavior. No longer in scientific use.
An exaggerated or obsessive concern or fear.
Medicine The combination of factors, symptoms, or signs of a disease or disorder that forms a syndrome.
[Latin complexus, past participle of complectī, to entwine; see complect.]
com·plex'ly adv., com·plex'ness n.
Synonyms: These adjectives mean having parts so interconnected as to make the whole perplexing. Complex implies a combination of many associated parts: The composer transformed a simple folk tune into a complex set of variations. Complicated stresses elaborate relationship of parts: The party's complicated platform confused many voters. Intricate refers to a pattern of intertwining parts that is difficult to follow or analyze: "No one could soar into a more intricate labyrinth of refined phraseology" (Anthony Trollope).
Involved stresses confusion arising from the commingling of parts and the consequent difficulty of separating them: The movie's plot was criticized as being too involved. Tangled strongly suggests the random twisting of many parts: "Oh, what a tangled web we weave,/When first we practice to deceive!" (Sir Walter Scott).
Knotty stresses intellectual complexity leading to difficulty of solution or comprehension: Even the professor couldn't clarify the knotty point.
c.1652, "composed of parts," from Fr. complexe, from L. complexus "surrounding, encompassing," pp. of complecti "to encircle, embrace," from com- "with" + plectere "to weave, braid, twine." The adj. meaning "not easily analyzed" is first recorded 1715. Psychological sense of "connected group of repressed ideas" was established by C.G. Jung, 1907.
complicated in structure; consisting of interconnected parts; "a complex set of variations based on a simple folk melody"; "a complex mass of diverse laws and customs" [ant: simple]
noun
1.
a conceptual whole made up of complicated and related parts; "the complex of shopping malls, houses, and roads created a new town"
2.
a compound described in terms of the central atom to which other atoms are bound or coordinated
3.
(psychoanalysis) a combination of emotions and impulses that have been rejected from awareness but still influence a person's behavior
4.
a whole structure (as a building) made up of interconnected or related structures [syn: building complex]
(often used loosely) an abnormal mental state caused by experiences in one's past which affect one's behaviour Example: She has a complex about her weight; inferiority complex
A group of related, often repressed memories, thoughts, and impulses that compel
characteristic or habitual patterns of feelings, thought, and behavior.
The relatively stable combination of two or more ions or compounds into a larger structure without covalent
binding.
A composite of chemical or immunological structures.
An entity made up of three or more interrelated components.
A group of individual structures known or
believed to be anatomically, embryologically, or physiologically related.
The combination of factors, symptoms, or signs that forms a syndrome.
adj. (km-plks, kmplks)
Consisting of interconnected or interwoven parts; composite.
Composed of two or more units.
Relating to a group of individual structures known or considered to be anatomically, embryologically, or physiologically related.
Main Entry: 2com·plex Pronunciation: 'käm-"pleks Function: noun 1: a group of repressed memories, desires, and ideas that
exert a dominant influence on the personality and behavior <a guilt complex> —see CASTRATION
COMPLEX, ELECTRA COMPLEX, INFERIORITY
COMPLEX, OEDIPUS COMPLEX, PERSECUTION
COMPLEX, SUPERIORITY COMPLEX 2: a group of chromosomes arranged or behaving in a
particular way —see GENE COMPLEX 3: a chemical association of two or more species (as ions or
molecules) joined usually by weak electrostatic bonds rather than by covalent bonds 4: the sum of the factors (as symptoms and lesions) characterizing a disease <primary
tuberculous complex>
Main Entry: 1com·plex Pronunciation: käm-'pleks, k&m-', 'käm-" Function: adjective 1: having many varied
interrelated parts, patterns, or elements and consequently hard to understand <complex behavior> <a complex personality> <complex plants and animals> 2: formed by the union of simpler chemical substances <complex proteins>
Main Entry: 3com·plex Pronunciation: käm-'pleks, k&m-', 'käm-" Function: transitive verb 1: to form into a complex
<RNA complexed with protein> 2:CHELATEcomplexintransitive senses : to form a complex <hormones which must complex with specific receptors>
Com"plex\, a. [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 + b[root]-1, when a and b are ordinary integers. Syn: See Intricate.
Com"plex\, n. [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.
Com*plex"ion\ (k[o^]m*pl[e^]k"sh[u^]n), n. [F. complexion, fr. L. complexio. See Complex, a.]1. The state of being complex; complexity. [Obs.] Though the terms of propositions may be complex, yet . . . it is properly called a simple syllogism, since the complexion does not belong to the syllogistic form of it. --I. Watts. 2. A combination; a complex. [Archaic] This paragraph is . . . a complexion of sophisms. --Coleridge. 3. The bodily constitution; the temperament; habitude, or natural disposition; character; nature. [Obs.] If his complexion incline him to melancholy. --Milton. It is the complexion of them all to leave the dam. --Shak. 4. The color or hue of the skin, esp. of the face. Tall was her stature, her complexion dark. --Wordsworth. Between the pale complexion of true love, And the red glow of scorn and proud disdain. --Shak. 5. The general appearance or aspect; as, the complexion of the sky; the complexion of the news.
Com"pli*cate\, a. [L. complicatus, p. p. of complicare to fold together. See Complex.]1. Composed of two or more parts united; complex; complicated; involved. How poor, how rich, how abject, how august, How complicate, how wonderful is man! --Young. 2. (Bot.) Folded together, or upon itself, with the fold running lengthwise.
Du"plex\, a. [L., fr. duo two + plicare to fold. See Two, and Complex.] Double; twofold. Duplex escapement, a peculiar kind of watch escapement, in which the scape-wheel has two sets of teeth. See Escapement. Duplex lathe, one for turning off, screwing, and surfacing, by means of two cutting tools, on opposite sides of the piece operated upon. Duplex pumping engine, a steam pump in which two steam cylinders are placed side by side, one operating the valves of the other. Duplex querela [L., double complaint] (Eccl. Law), a complaint in the nature of an appeal from the ordinary to his immediate superior, as from a bishop to an archbishop. --Mozley & W. Duplex telegraphy, a system of telegraphy for sending two messages over the same wire simultaneously. Duplex watch, one with a duplex escapement.
In"tri*cate\, a. [L. intricatus, p. p. of intricare to entangle, perplex. Cf. Intrigue, Extricate.] Entangled; involved; perplexed; complicated; difficult to understand, follow, arrange, or adjust; as, intricate machinery, labyrinths, accounts, plots, etc. His style was fit to convey the most intricate business to the understanding with the utmost clearness. --Addison. The nature of man is intricate. --Burke. Syn: Intricate, Complex, Complicated. Usage: A thing is complex when it is made up of parts; it is complicated when those parts are so many, or so arranged, as to make it difficult to grasp them; it is intricate when it has numerous windings and confused involutions which it is hard to follow out. What is complex must be resolved into its parts; what is complicated must be drawn out and developed; what is intricate must be unraveled.
Mul"ti*ply\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Multiplied; p. pr. & vb. n. Multiplying.] [F. multiplier, L. multiplicare, fr. multiplex manifold. See Multitude, Complex.]1. To increase in number; to make more numerous; to add quantity to. Impunity will multiply motives to disobedience. --Ames. 2. (Math.) To add (any given number or quantity) to itself a certain number of times; to find the product of by multiplication; thus 7 multiplied by 8 produces the number 56; to multiply two numbers. See the Note under Multiplication. 3. To increase (the amount of gold or silver) by the arts of alchemy. [Obs.] Multiplying gear (Mach.), gear for increasing speed. Multiplying lens. (Opt.) See under Lens.
Ply\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Plied; p. pr. & vb. n. Plying.] [OE. plien, F. plier to fold, to bend, fr. L. plicare; akin to Gr. ?, G. flechten. Cf. Apply, Complex, Display, Duplicity, Employ, Exploit, Implicate, Plait, Pliant, Flax.]1. To bend. [Obs.] As men may warm wax with handes plie. --Chaucer. 2. To lay on closely, or in folds; to work upon steadily, or with repeated acts; to press upon; to urge importunately; as, to ply one with questions, with solicitations, or with drink. And plies him with redoubled strokes --Dryden. He plies the duke at morning and at night. --Shak. 3. To employ diligently; to use steadily. Go ply thy needle; meddle not. --Shak. 4. To practice or perform with diligence; to work at. Their bloody task, unwearied, still they ply. --Waller.
Sim"ple\, a. [Compar. Simpler; superl. Simplest.] [F., fr. L. simplus, or simplex, gen. simplicis. The first part of the Latin words is probably akin to E. same, and the sense, one, one and the same; cf. L. semel once, singuli one to each, single. Cg. Single, a., Same, a., and for the last part of the word cf. Double, Complex.]1. Single; not complex; not infolded or entangled; uncombined; not compounded; not blended with something else; not complicated; as, a simple substance; a simple idea; a simple sound; a simple machine; a simple problem; simple tasks. 2. Plain; unadorned; as, simple dress. "Simple truth." --Spenser. "His simple story." --Burns. 3. Mere; not other than; being only. A medicine . . . whose simple touch Is powerful to araise King Pepin. --Shak. 4. Not given to artifice, stratagem, or duplicity; undesigning; sincere; true. Full many fine men go upon my score, as simple as I stand here, and I trust them. --Marston. Must thou trust Tradition's simple tongue? --Byron. To be simple is to be great. --Emerson. 5. Artless in manner; unaffected; unconstrained; natural; inartificial;; straightforward. In simple manners all the secret lies. --Young. 6. Direct; clear; intelligible; not abstruse or enigmatical; as, a simple statement; simple language. 7. Weak in intellect; not wise or sagacious; of but moderate understanding or attainments; hence, foolish; silly. "You have simple wits." --Shak. The simple believeth every word; but the prudent man looketh well to his going. --Prov. xiv. 15. 8. Not luxurious; without much variety; plain; as, a simple diet; a simple way of living. Thy simple fare and all thy plain delights. --Cowper. 9. Humble; lowly; undistinguished. A simple husbandman in garments gray. --Spenser. Clergy and laity, male and female, gentle and simple made the fuel of the same fire. --Fuller. 10. (BOt.) Without subdivisions; entire; as, a simple stem; a simple leaf. 11. (Chem.) Not capable of being decomposed into anything more simple or ultimate by any means at present known; elementary; thus, atoms are regarded as simple bodies. Cf. Ultimate, a. Note: A simple body is one that has not as yet been decomposed. There are indications that many of our simple elements are still compound bodies, though their actual decomposition into anything simpler may never be accomplished. 12. (Min.) Homogenous. 13. (Zo["o]l.) Consisting of a single individual or zooid; as, a simple ascidian; -- opposed to compound. Simple contract (Law), any contract, whether verbal or written, which is not of record or under seal. --J. W. Smith. --Chitty. Simple equation (Alg.), an eqyation containing but one unknown quantity, and that quantity only in the first degree. Simple eye (Zo["o]l.), an eye having a single lens; -- opposed to compound eye. Simple interest. See under Interest. Simple larceny. (Law) See under Larceny. Simple obligation (Rom. Law), an obligation which does not depend for its execution upon any event provided for by the parties, or is not to become void on the happening of any such event. --Burrill. Syn: Single; uncompounded; unmingled; unmixed; mere; uncombined; elementary; plain; artless; sincere; harmless; undesigning; frank; open; unaffected; inartificial; unadorned; credulous; silly; foolish; shallow; unwise. Usage: Simple, Silly. One who is simple is sincere, unaffected, and inexperienced in duplicity, -- hence liable to be duped. A silly person is one who is ignorant or weak and also self-confident; hence, one who shows in speech and act a lack of good sense. Simplicity is incompatible with duplicity, artfulness, or vanity, while silliness is consistent with all three. Simplicity denotes lack of knowledge or of guile; silliness denotes want of judgment or right purpose, a defect of character as well as of education. I am a simple woman, much too weak To oppose your cunning. --Shak. He is the companion of the silliest people in their most silly pleasure; he is ready for every impertinent entertainment and diversion. --Law.
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