Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

intricate

 - 3 dictionary results

in⋅tri⋅cate

  [in-tri-kit]
Use intricate in a Sentence
–adjective
1. having many interrelated parts or facets; entangled or involved: an intricate maze.
2. complex; complicated; hard to understand, work, or make: an intricate machine.
Origin:
1375–1425; late ME < L intrīcātus, ptp. of intrīcāre to entangle, equiv. to in- in- 2 + trīc(ae) perplexities + -ātus -ate 1

Related forms:
in⋅tri⋅cate⋅ly, adverb
in⋅tri⋅cate⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. knotty, tangled, labyrinthine.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To intricate
in·tri·cate   (ĭn'trĭ-kĭt)   
adj.  

  1. Having many complexly arranged elements; elaborate. See Synonyms at elaborate.

  2. Solvable or comprehensible only with painstaking effort. See Synonyms at complex.


[Middle English from Latin intrīcātus, past participle of intrīcāre, to entangle, perplex : in-, in; see in-2 + trīcae, perplexities, wiles.]
in'tri·cate·ly adv., in'tri·cate·ness n.
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
Word Origin & History

intricate 
c.1470, from L. intricatus "entangled," pp. of intricare "to entangle, perplex, embarrass," from in- "in" + tricæ (pl.) "perplexities, hindrances, toys, tricks," of uncertain origin (cf. extricate).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see intricate on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way