Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

complicate

 - 3 dictionary results

com⋅pli⋅cate

  [v. kom-pli-keyt; adj. kom-pli-kit] verb, -cat⋅ed, -cat⋅ing, adjective
Use complicate in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to make complex, intricate, involved, or difficult: His recovery from the operation was complicated by an allergic reaction.
–adjective
2. complex; involved.
3. Entomology. folded longitudinally one or more times, as the wings of certain insects.
Origin:
1615–25; < L complicātus (ptp. of complicāre to fold together), equiv. to com- com- + -plic- (comb. form of *plecāre to fold, akin to plectī to plait; see complex ) + -ātus -ate 1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To complicate
com·pli·cate   (kŏm'plĭ-kāt')   
tr. & intr.v.   com·pli·cat·ed, com·pli·cat·ing, com·pli·cates

  1. To make or become complex or perplexing.

  2. To twist or become twisted together.

adj.   (-kĭt)

  1. Complex, intricate, and involved.

  2. Biology Folded longitudinally one or several times, as certain leaves or the wings of some insects.


[Latin complicāre, complicāt-, to fold together : com-, com- + plicāre, to fold; see plek- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: com·pli·cate
Pronunciation: 'käm-pl&-"kAt
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: -cat·ed;-cat·ing
: to cause to be more complex or severe complicated by bacterial infection>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see complicate on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way