Emily Dickinson Lexicon

COM'PLEX, or COM-PLEX'ED, a. [L. complexus, complex, embracing, from complector, to embrace; con and plecto, to weave, or twist; Gr. πλεω; L. plico; W. plygu; Arm. plega; Fr. plier; It. piegare; Sp. plegar; D.plooijen, to fold, bend, or double.]

1. Composed of two or more parts or things; composite; not simple; including two or more particulars connected; as, a complex being; a complex idea; a complex term. Ideas made up of several simple ones, I call complex; such as beauty, gratitude, a man, the universe. – Locke.
2. Involved; difficult; as, a complex subject.