complex

Universal Words adjective, noun adjective 1 made of many different things or parts that are connected; difficult to understand: complex machinery * the complex structure of the human brain * a complex road system * a complex argument / problem / subject 2 (grammar) (of a word or sentence) containing one main part (= the ROOT of a word or MAINCLAUSE of a sentence) and one or more other parts (AFFIXES or SUBORDINATECLAUSES): In the complex sentence, 'I'd like to go the beach, if it's warm enough', 'I'd like to go to the beach' is the main clause, and 'if it's warm enough' is the subordinate clause. compareCOMPOUNDadj. noun 1 a group of buildings of a similar type together in one place: a sports complex * an apartment complex * an industrial complex (= a site with many factories) 2 a group of things that are connected: This is just one of a whole complex of issues. 3 (especially in compounds) a mental state that is not normal: to suffer from a guilt complex seealsoINFERIORITYCOMPLEX, OEDIPUSCOMPLEX, PERSECUTIONCOMPLEX 4 if sb has a complex about sth, they are worried about it in way that is not normal: Don't mention her weight-she has a complex about it.