complex

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bbeeton
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complex

Postby bbeeton » Sun Jul 10, 2022 11:24 am

This can be either an adjective or a noun. To quote Tom Lehrer, "You may end up with a quite complex complex."

The opposite of simple, complex as a noun can refer to a unified group of buildings (a hospital complex) or a medical or psychiatric diagnosis, and possibly other collections of related things.

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Slava
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Re: complex

Postby Slava » Thu Dec 14, 2023 8:13 am

Related to complicit. Accomplice, too, but not accomplish.
Life is like playing chess with chessmen who each have thoughts and feelings and motives of their own.

David Myer
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Re: complex

Postby David Myer » Tue Dec 26, 2023 6:49 am

And presumably related to complexion? Goodness knows how we get from peaches-and-cream to psychological disturbance.

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Slava
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Re: complex

Postby Slava » Tue Dec 26, 2023 8:05 am

From etymonline:
The specific meaning "color or hue of the skin of the face" developed by mid-15c. In medieval physiology, the color of the face was believed to indicate temperament or health.
Life is like playing chess with chessmen who each have thoughts and feelings and motives of their own.


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