Definition of complex
(Entry 1 of 3)
1
: a whole made up of complicated or interrelated parts
a complex of welfare programs the military-industrial complex
2a
: a group of culture traits relating to a single activity (such as hunting), process (such as use of flint), or culture unit
b(1)
: a group of repressed desires and memories that exerts a dominating influence upon the personality
a guilt complex
(2)
: an exaggerated reaction to or preoccupation with a subject or situation
He has always had a complex about spiders. She has a weight complex. Not being able to find a job was giving me a complex.
c
: a group of obviously related units of which the degree and nature of the relationship is imperfectly known
d
: the sum of factors (such as symptoms) characterizing a disease or condition
primary tuberculous complex
3
: a chemical association of two or more species (such as ions or molecules) joined usually by weak electrostatic bonds rather than covalent bonds
4
: a building or group of buildings housing related units
an apartment complex a sports complex
complex
adjectiveDefinition of complex (Entry 2 of 3)
1a
: composed of two or more parts : composite
a complex mixture of chemicals
b(1)
of a word
: having a bound form as one or more of its immediate constituents
Unmanly is a complex word.
2
: hard to separate, analyze, or solve
a complex problem
3
: of, concerned with, being, or containing complex numbers
a complex root complex analysis
complex
verb
complexed; complexing; complexes
Definition of complex (Entry 3 of 3)
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for complex
The first known use of complex was in 1643
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