n. [ L. amplexari to embrace. ] An embrace. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
An humble amplexation of those sacred feet. Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ L. amplexus, p. p. of amplecti to encircle, to embrace + caulis stem: cf. F. amplexicaule. ] (Bot.) Clasping or embracing a stem, as the base of some leaves. Gray. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. Apoplexy. [ Obs. ] Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. Affected with apoplexy. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ OE. poplexye, LL. poplexia, apoplexia, fr. Gr.
☞ The term is now usually limited to cerebral apoplexy, or loss of consciousness due to effusion of blood or other lesion within the substance of the brain; but it is sometimes extended to denote an effusion of blood into the substance of any organ; as, apoplexy of the lung. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. a genus of plants of the goosefoot family (
n. [ Gr. &unr_; amazement: cf. Apoplexy. ] (Med.) A morbid condition caused by an overwhelming shock or extreme fear and marked by rigidity of the muscles. --
a. [ L. complexus, p. p. of complecti to entwine around, comprise; com- + plectere to twist, akin to plicare to fold. See Plait, n. ]
Ideas thus made up of several simple ones put together, I call complex; such as beauty, gratitude, a man, an army, the universe. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]
When the actual motions of the heavens are calculated in the best possible way, the process is difficult and complex. Whewell. [ 1913 Webster ]
Complex fraction.
Complex number (Math.),
n. [ L. complexus ] Assemblage of related things; collection; complication. [ 1913 Webster ]
This parable of the wedding supper comprehends in it the whole complex of all the blessings and privileges exhibited by the gospel. South. [ 1913 Webster ]
Complex of lines (Geom.),
a. Complex, complicated. [ Obs. ] “Complexed significations.” Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. The quality or state of being complex or involved; complication. [ 1913 Webster ]
The complexedness of these moral ideas. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ F. complexion, fr. L. complexio. See Complex, a. ]
Though the terms of propositions may be complex, yet . . . it is properly called a simple syllogism, since the complexion does not belong to the syllogistic form of it. I. Watts. [ 1913 Webster ]
This paragraph is . . . a complexion of sophisms. Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]
If his complexion incline him to melancholy. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]
It is the complexion of them all to leave the dam. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
Tall was her stature, her complexion dark. Wordsworth. [ 1913 Webster ]
Between the pale complexion of true love,
And the red glow of scorn and proud disdain. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. Of or pertaining to constitutional complexion. [ 1913 Webster ]
A moral rather than a complexional timidity. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]
adv. Constitutionally. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
Though corruptible, not complexionally vicious. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. Pertaining to the complexion, or to the care of it. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. Having (such) a complexion; -- used in composition;
A flower is the best-complexioned grass, as a pearl is the best-colored clay. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]
n.;
The objects of society are of the greatest possible complexity. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]
Many-corridored complexities
Of Arthur's palace. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]
adv. In a complex manner; not simply. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. The state of being complex; complexity. A. Smith. [ 1913 Webster ]
‖n. [ L., an embracing. ] A complex; an aggregate of parts; a complication. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ Contra- + -plex as in duplex. ] (Teleg.) Pertaining to the sending of two messages in opposite directions at the same time. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]
a. [ Pref. de- (intens.) + complex. ] Repeatedly compound; made up of complex constituents. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ Pref. di- + -plex, as in duplex. ] (Teleg.) Pertaining to the sending of two messages in the same direction at the same time.
v. t. To change the complexion or hue of. [ Obs. ] Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]
‖a. [ L., fr. duo two + plicare to fold. See Two, and Complex. ]
Duplex escapement,
Duplex lathe,
Duplex pumping engine,
Duplex querela [ L., double complaint ] (Eccl. Law),
Duplex telegraphy,
Duplex watch,
half duplex (Computers)
full duplex, (Computers)
v. t. [ See Duplex, a. ] (Teleg.) To arrange, as a telegraph line, so that two messages may be transmitted simultaneously; to equip with a duplex telegraphic outfit. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]
n. [ See Duplex, a. ]
n. (Radio) a device which switches electronic circuitry so that a radio antenna can function as either a transmitting or receiving antenna. [ PJC ]
‖n. [ L., reproof, fr. Gr. &unr_; , fr. &unr_; to strike at, reprove;
‖n. pl. [ NL., fr. Gr.
n. (Med.) either of two forms of herpesvirus infection, distinguished as being caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which causes mostly sores and eruptions around the mouth (cold sores and fever blisters) and at other points above the waist, and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), causing genital herpes. HSV-1 is also known in some cases to cause genital herpes infections. [ PJC ]
a. [ L. implexus, p. p. of implectere to infold; pref. im- in + plectere to plait: cf. F implexe. ] Intricate; entangled; complicated; complex. [ 1913 Webster ]
The fable of every poem is . . . simple or implex. it is called simple when there is no change of fortune in it; implex, when the fortune of the chief actor changes from bad to good, or from good to bad. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ L. implexio. ] Act of involving, or state of being involved; involution. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ Pref. in- not + complex: cf. F. incomplexe. ] Not complex; uncompounded; simple. Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ L. multiplex, -plicis. See Multiply. ] Manifold; multiple. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. t.
No artful wildness to perplex the scene. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]
What was thought obscure, perplexed, and too hard for our weak parts, will lie open to the understanding in a fair view. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]
We are perplexed, but not in despair. 2 Cor. iv. 8. [ 1913 Webster ]
We can distinguish no general truths, or at least shall be apt to perplex the mind. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ L. perplexus entangled, intricate; per + plectere, plexum, to plait, braid: cf. F. perplexe. See Per-, and Plait. ] Intricate; difficult. [ Obs. ] Glanvill. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. Entangled, involved, or confused; hence, embarrassd; puzzled; doubtful; anxious. --
a. Embarrassing; puzzling; troublesome. “Perplexing thoughts.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]
n.;
By their own perplexities involved,
They ravel more. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. The quality of being perplexing; tendency to perplex. [ Obs. ] Dr. H. More. [ 1913 Webster ]
adv. Perplexedly. [ Obs. ] Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ Plexus + -form: cf. F. Plexiforme. ] Like network; complicated. Quincy. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ Gr. &unr_; stroke, percussion (from &unr_; to strike) + -meter. ] (Med.) A small, hard, elastic plate, as of ivory, bone, or rubber, placed in contact with body to receive the blow, in examination by mediate percussion.
n. [ See Plexus. ] The act or process of weaving together, or interweaving; that which is woven together. H. Brooke. [ 1913 Webster ]
n.;
In the perception of a tree the reference to an object is circumscribed and directed by a plexus of visual and other presentations. G. F. Stout. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]
n. Apoplexy. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ L., from quattuor four + plicare to fold. ] Fourfold; folded or doubled twice. [ 1913 Webster ]
Quadruplex system (Electric Telegraph),
a. Perplexed by doubts originating in one's own mind. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. (Bot.) Partially amplexicaul; embracing the stem half round, as a leaf. [ 1913 Webster ]