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complex

Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2022 11:24 am
by bbeeton
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.

Re: complex

Posted: Thu Dec 14, 2023 8:13 am
by Slava
Related to complicit. Accomplice, too, but not accomplish.

Re: complex

Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2023 6:49 am
by David Myer
And presumably related to complexion? Goodness knows how we get from peaches-and-cream to psychological disturbance.

Re: complex

Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2023 8:05 am
by Slava
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.