Main Entry:

¹com·plex

Pronunciation:

\ˈkäm-ˌpleks\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Late Latin complexus totality, from Latin, embrace, from complecti

Date:

1643

1: a whole made up of complicated or interrelated parts <a complex of welfare programs> <the military-industrial complex>2 a: a group of culture traits relating to a single activity (as hunting), process (as use of flint), or culture unit b (1): a group of repressed desires and memories that exerts a dominating influence upon the personality (2): an exaggerated reaction to or preoccupation with a subject or situation c: a group of obviously related units of which the degree and nature of the relationship is imperfectly known d: the sum of factors (as symptoms) characterizing a disease or condition3: a chemical association of two or more species (as ions or molecules) joined usually by weak electrostatic bonds rather than covalent bonds4: a building or group of buildings housing related units <an apartment complex> <a sports complex>