complex
noun
- psychology
- any molecular association based on other forces than covalent liaisons
adjective
- any molecular association based on other forces than covalent liaisons
- made of multiple parts
- complicated
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈkɒmplɛks/ / /kəmˈplɛks/ / /kɑmˈplɛks/ / /ˈkɑmˌplɛks/
adj
Etymology: From French complexe, from Latin complexus, past participle of complector (“to entwine, encircle, compass, infold”), from com- (“together”) and plectō (“to weave, braid”). May be analyzed as com- + -plex. See complect. Doublet of complexus.
- Made up of multiple parts; composite; not simple.
“a complex being; a complex idea”
“The human body is a complex system made up of many layers.”
- Not simple, easy, or straightforward; complicated.
“If, when the actual motions of the heavens are calculated in the best possible way, the process is complex and difficult, and if we are discontented at this, nature, and not the astronomer, must be the object of our displeasure.”
- Having the form a + bi, where a and b are real numbers and i is (by definition) the imaginary square root of −1.
“complex number”
“function of a complex variable”
- Whose range is a subset of the complex numbers.
“complex function”
- Whose coefficients are complex numbers; defined over the field of complex numbers.
“complex polynomial”
“complex algebraic variety”
- A curve, polygon or other figure that crosses or intersects itself.
noun
Etymology: From French complexe, from Latin complexus, past participle of complector (“to entwine, encircle, compass, infold”), from com- (“together”) and plectō (“to weave, braid”). May be analyzed as com- + -plex. See complect. Doublet of complexus.
- A network of interconnected systems.
“military–industrial complex”
- A collection of buildings with a common purpose, such as a university or military base.
“The south polar region of Promethei Planum developed a Bermuda Triangle reputation. Satellites detected intermittent mass concentrations and magnetic field shifts. In 2148, prospectors working near Deseado Crater discovered an underground complex: a Prothean observation post. The odd phenomena were generated by the operation and discharge of a mass effect core, struggling to function despite fifty millennia of neglect.”
“A man at the complex said he had seen the often heavily made-up girls coming and going in luxury vehicles.”
- An assemblage of related things; a collection.
“This parable of the wedding supper comprehends in it the whole complex of all the blessings and privileges exhibited by the gospel.”
- An assemblage of related things; a collection.
- An assemblage of related things; a collection.
“The fire complex began as two separate fires.”
“As of early Wednesday, there were at least 25 major wildfires and fire complexes, the term given to multiple fires in a single geographic area, burning in California, Christine McMorrow, a Cal Fire information officer, said.”
- An assemblage of related things; a collection.
“Since then, a good deal of research has documented and concluded that the nominal species A. fraterculus actually comprises an unresolved complex of cryptic species.”
- A group of emotionally charged ideas or mental factors, unconsciously associated by the individual with a particular subject, arising from repressed instincts, fears, or desires and often resulting in mental abnormality.
“Jim has a real complex about working for a woman boss.”
- A group of emotionally charged ideas or mental factors, unconsciously associated by the individual with a particular subject, arising from repressed instincts, fears, or desires and often resulting in mental abnormality.
- A structure consisting of a central atom or molecule weakly connected to surrounding atoms or molecules, as for example coordination compounds in inorganic chemistry and protein complexes in biochemistry.
“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.”
- A complex number.
“The interesting aspect here is that U₃ is irreducible, even though all irreps over the complexes are one-dimensional because ℤ₄ is abelian.”
- A multimorphemic word, one with several parts, one with affixes.
verb
Etymology: From French complexe, from Latin complexus, past participle of complector (“to entwine, encircle, compass, infold”), from com- (“together”) and plectō (“to weave, braid”). May be analyzed as com- + -plex. See complect. Doublet of complexus.
- To form a complex with another substance.
- To complicate.