complex etymology

Etymology

The word "complex" derives from the Latin word "complexus," a past participle of the verb "complecti," meaning "to embrace" or "to entwine."

Meaning

In modern English, "complex" has several related meanings:

• Adjective:
  • Consisting of many interrelated parts or elements
  • Intricate or difficult to understand
  • Not simple or straightforward
• Noun:
  • A set of interrelated elements or systems
  • A mental or psychological condition that causes distress or difficulty

Origin

The Latin word "complecti" is believed to have originated from the Proto-Indo-European root "*plek-," meaning "to braid" or "to intertwine." This root appears in various forms in many Indo-European languages, including:

• Sanskrit: "plaksha" (to braid)
• Greek: "plekein" (to entwine)
• Old English: "flecan" (to plait)
• Old Norse: "flekka" (to spot)

Usage

The word "complex" is frequently used in various contexts:

• Science and Technology: To describe systems, structures, or processes with multiple components or relationships.
• Psychology: To describe mental states or disorders marked by intricate symptoms or dynamics.
• Literature: To depict characters or situations with multiple facets and motivations.
• Everyday Language: To refer to something that is not simple, straightforward, or easy to understand.

Examples

• "The human body is a highly complex system."
• "The motives behind her decision were complex and difficult to unravel."
• "The novel presents a complex and nuanced portrayal of human nature."
• "It's a complex situation that requires careful consideration."

complex relate terms

• complexity

  Etymology From Latin complexus past participle of complecti to embrace entwine sur

• complex

  Etymology The word complex derives from the Latin word complexus a past participle o

• accomplice

  Etymology French complice Latin complex meaning combined Meaning A person who

• application

  Etymology Latin applicare Ad to Plicare to fold Meaning The act of

• apply

  Etymology refers to the study of the origin and history of words It can provide insights

• complex

  Etymology The word complex derives from the Latin word complexus a past participle o

• complexion

  Etymology From Late Latin complexio the nominative of complexionis a derivative of co

• complicate

  Etymology Latin complicare com together plicare to fold Meaning Compl

• complication

  Etymology Latin complicatio from complicare to fold together French complic

• complicity

  Etymology From Latin complicitās complicity conspiracy from complicātus folde

• deploy

  Etymology Deploy comes from the Old French word desploier which means to unfold or

• display

  Etymology Etymology comes from the Greek words etymon true sense and logos word

• duplex

  Etymology The word duplex comes from the Latin word duplex which means double or

• duplicate

  Etymology The word duplicate originates from the Latin word duplicatus which is the

• duplicity

  Etymology Duplicity is derived from the Latin word duplex meaning double or two

• employ

  Etymology The word employ comes from the Old French word emploier which in turn come

• explicate

  Etymology Etymology refers to the study of the origin and historical development of words

• explicit

  Etymology Explicit is derived from the Latin word explicitus meaning unfolded set

• exploit

  Etymology The word exploit comes from the Old French word exploitier which in turn d

• flax

  Etymology The word flax has its origin in the following languages Proto Indo Europe

• implex

  Etymology Latin implexus enfolded or intertwined Meaning Entangled interwove

• implicate

  Etymology The word implicate comes from the Latin verb implicare meaning to fold or

• implication

  Etymology Latin implicatio from implicare to entwine entangle involve Implicare

• implicit

  Implicit Etymology Implicit etymology refers to the study of the origin and meaning of w

• imply

  Etymology Latin implicare to enfold entangle Proto Indo European plek to fol

• perplex

  Etymology From Middle English perplexen perplexen from Old French perplexer from Lat

• perplexity

  Etymology From Middle English perplexite from Old French perplexité from Latin perple

• plait

  Etymology and Origin The word plait originates from the Old French word pleite whic

• plash

  Etymology The word plash has multiple origins Old English plescan or pleoscian

• pleat

  Etymology The word pleat is derived from the Old English word pleatan which means t

• plexus

  Etymology The word plexus comes from the Latin word plexus which means braid plai

• pliable

  Etymology Middle English pliable Old French pliable Latin plicare to fold Mean

• pliant

  Etymology Middle English pliant from Old French pliant present participle of plier

• plie

  Etymology The word plie comes from the French verb plier which means to bend Mea

• plight

  Etymology Old French plite plight condition state Proto Germanic pliht duty

• replica

  Etymology and Origin The word replica originates from the Latin word repletum meanin

• replicate

  Etymology Latin replicare meaning to fold back or over Proto Indo European kʷrep

• replication

  Etymology From Latin replicat iōn the supine stem of replicāre to fold back M

• reply

  Etymology The word reply originates from the Old French word replier meaning to fol

• simplex

  Etymology Latin símplex simplici single simple Proto Indo European sem on

• splay

  Etymology English splay Middle English spleyen Old English splecgan Meaning To

• triplicate

  Etymology From Latin triplicatus past participle of triplicare meaning to triple

• simple

  Etymology is the study of the origin and history of words It can be used to trace the evo

• composite

  Etymology of Composite Latin prefix com meaning together or with Latin verb

• complicate

  Etymology Latin complicare com together plicare to fold Meaning Compl

• complication

  Etymology Latin complicatio from complicare to fold together French complic

• complicity

  Etymology From Latin complicitās complicity conspiracy from complicātus folde

• simplify

  Etymology Definition The study of the origin and history of words Origin From Greek e

• degeneration

  Etymology The word degeneration comes from the Latin word degenerare meaning to de

• college

  Etymology The word college originates from the Latin word collegium meaning a group

• compound

  Etymology Compound a word formed from two or more root words or morphemes Meaning

• syndrome

  Etymology From French syndrome group of symptoms from Greek syndromē a running tog