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complector

Etymology and origin of the Latin word complector

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Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Plautus
Ultimate origin
Latin (plectō)
Etymology tree
inherited borrowed derived
Latin complector
Latin complexio
English complexion

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [kɔmˈpɫɛk.tɔr][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [komˈplɛk.tor][1]

Forms

complector (present infinitive complectī, perfect active complexus sum); third conjugation, deponent[1]

Etymology

It is from con- and plectō “to plait, twine”.[2][1][3] An active form ⟨complectō⟩ is also found.[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's first citations are from Plautus, of embracing.[2] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant to hold in the arms, embrace, hug, as in Plautus and Cicero, to clasp a hand, and of sleep to embrace someone.[2][5] Figuratively it meant to welcome a person's friendship, to embrace a cause or course of action, as in Cicero.[2] It meant to seize, grasp, and with animō or alone to grasp mentally, comprehend, or keep in mind.[2] It meant to surround, enclose, as in Caesar, to encompass or include, to cover a subject in a book or speech, and to sum up briefly.[2] Döderlein says amplector is to embrace with calm affection, often with one arm, while complector is to clasp with both arms in passion or confidence.[6]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant to surround, comprehend, embrace.[7] English complex came in the 1650s from its participle complexus.[3]

Timeline

  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of embracing.[2][4]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of embracing a cause and of grasping mentally.[2][4]
  • c. 50 BC – Caesar uses it of surrounding.[2][4]
  • 1650s – English complex is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To embrace, hug, clasp.[2]
  2. To embrace (a friendship, cause, course).[2]
  3. To seize, grasp.[2]
  4. To comprehend; to remember.[2]
  5. To surround, enclose.[2]
  6. To include, cover (in writing).[2]
  7. To sum up.[2]

Word family

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  6. ^ Döderlein, Ludwig (1874), Döderlein’s Hand-book of Latin Synonymes, tr. H. H. Arnold, Andover: W. F. Draper
  7. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson

Derived terms

Cite this entry

“Complector.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/complector. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·