¦ adjective
1. consisting of many different and connected parts.
2. not easy to understand; complicated.
3. Mathematics (of a number) containing both a real and an imaginary participle
¦ noun
1. an interlinked system; a network.
a group of similar buildings or facilities on the same site.
2. Psychoanalysis a related group of repressed or partly repressed emotionally significant ideas which lead to abnormal mental states or behaviour.
informal a feeling of disproportionate anxiety about something.
3. Chemistry an ion or molecule in which one or more groups are linked to a metal atom by coordinate bonds.
¦ verb Chemistry make (an atom or compound) form a complex with another.
Derivatives
complexation noun (Chemistry).
complexity noun (plural complexities).
complexly adverb
Origin
C17 (asnoun): from L. complexus, from complectere 'embrace, comprise', later assoc. with complexus 'plaited'; the adjective is partly via Fr. complexe.