complex

 
Pronunciation: /ˈkɒmplɛks/

adjective

  • 1consisting of many different and connected parts: a complex network of water channels
  • not easy to analyse or understand; complicated or intricate: a complex personality the situation is more complex than it appears
  • 2 Mathematics denoting or involving numbers or quantities containing both a real and an imaginary part.
  • 3 Chemistry denoting an ion or molecule in which one or more groups are linked to a metal atom by coordinate bonds: in naming complex ions, the names of the ligands are cited first

noun

  • 1a group or system of different things that are linked in a close or complicated way; a network: a complex of mountain roads
  • a group of similar buildings or facilities on the same site: a leisure complex a complex of hotels
  • 2 Psychoanalysis a related group of repressed or partly repressed emotionally significant ideas which cause psychic conflict leading to abnormal mental states or behaviour.
  • informal a strong or disproportionate concern or anxiety about something: there’s no point having a complex about losing your hair
  • 3 Chemistry an ion or molecule in which one or more groups are linked to a metal atom by coordinate bonds: two guanine bases can attach themselves to the same platinum atom, forming a stable complex
  • any loosely bonded species formed by the association of two molecules: cross-linked protein-DNA complexes

verb

[with object] Chemistry
  • make (an atom or compound) form a complex with another: the DNA was complexed with the nuclear extract

Derivatives

complexation

noun ( Chemistry)

complexly

adverb

Origin:

mid 17th century (in the sense 'group of related elements'): from Latin complexus, past participle (used as a noun) of complectere 'embrace, comprise', later associated with complexus 'plaited'; the adjective is partly via French complexe