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   complex

   /ˈkɒmplɛks/

   adjective

   • 1. consisting of many different and connected parts: "a complex network of water channels" Similar compoundcompositecompoundedmultiplex
   • ▪ not easy to analyse or understand; complicated or intricate: "a complex personality" Similar complicatedinvolvedintricateconvolutedtangledelaborateserpentinelabyrinthinetortuousimpenetrableByzantineDaedalianGordiandifficulthardknottytrickythornyproblematicalinformal:fiddlyrare:involuteinvolutedOpposite simplestraightforward
   • 2. denoting or involving numbers or quantities containing both a real and an imaginary part.
   • 3. 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

   • 1. a group or system of different things that are linked in a close or complicated way; a network: "a complex of mountain roads" Similar networksysteminterconnected system/structure/schemenexuswebtissuecombinationcompositesynthesisfusionaggregation
   • ▪ a group of similar buildings or facilities on the same site: "a leisure complex"
   • 2. a related group of repressed or partly repressed emotionally significant ideas which cause psychic conflict leading to abnormal mental states or behaviour.
   • ▪ a strong or disproportionate concern or anxiety about something: informal "there's no point having a complex about losing your hair" Similar obsessionphobiafixationpreoccupationneurosisidée fixeinformal:hang-upthingbee in one's bonnet
   • 3. 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

   • 1. make (an atom or compound) form a complex with another: "the DNA was complexed with the nuclear extract"

   Word 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.

   Derivatives

   • 1. complexly adverb

   Scrabble Points: 20

   • C

     3

   • O

     1

   • M

     3

   • P

     3

   • L

     1

   • E

     1

   • X

     8

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