complexus

Forms

complexus m (genitive complexūs); fourth declension^[1] It is also spelled conplexus.^[2]

Etymology

It is from complector “to embrace” with the suffix -tus.^[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Pacuvius, of encircling.^[2] Köbler's first source is Cicero.^[3]

Semantic evolution

It meant a physical enveloping, encircling, as in Pacuvius, and an embrace, a clasping of hands, as in Cicero, and Cicero also used it for sexual intercourse, mental grasp, and the bringing together of things, inclusion.^[2] Ovid uses it of a grasp, hold.^[2] Gaffiot cites mundus omnia complexū suō continet “the world contains all things in its embrace”.^[4]

In Medieval Latin it meant an association, partnership.^[5] Bede uses it.^[3] English complex (1650s) came through French complexe from the participle complexus “surrounding, embracing”.^[6]

Timeline

• 220–130 BC – Pacuvius uses it.^[2][3]
• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of embraces.^[2][3]
• 1650s – English complex is recorded.^[6]

Meanings

Noun

1. An embrace.^[2]
2. An encircling.^[2]
3. A grasp; comprehension.^[2]
4. Inclusion.^[2]

Related words

• complector
• plectō
• English complex

References

1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
4. ^ Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
5. ^ Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
6. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com