complex

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Having many connected parts and so difficult to understand or deal with.

   Climate change is a complex problem with no easy solution.

2. 2
   adj

   Made up of many parts; not simple.

   The human brain is a remarkably complex organ.

3. 3
   noun

   A group of buildings used for a particular purpose.

   They built a new sports complex on the edge of town.

4. 4
   noun

   In mathematics, a number of the form a + bi, involving the square root of minus one.

   Engineers often use complex numbers in signal processing.

Common collocations

• complex machine Adjective + noun
• complex system Adjective + noun

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.

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