complexity English · revision 10483

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1661|origins=en complex}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /kəmˈplɛk.sɪ.ti/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is from [[complex]] with the suffix [[-ity]],^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) compare French complexité.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Composite nature or structure: 1661 in Merriam-Webster, before 1721 in the OED, 1721 in Etymonline.^(MWU 2024)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Intricacy, an involved nature, is from 1790,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and a complex condition, a complication, from 1794.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) In mathematics, computational complexity, a measure of the difficulty of a computation, is from 1963.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1661 – first known use.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1721 – composite nature.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1790 – intricacy.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1794 – a complication.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1963 – computational complexity.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The state or quality of being complex or intricate.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Something complex; a [[complication]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[overcomplexity]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[complicate]]

+ * [[complex]]

+ * [[complicated]]

+ * [[simplicity]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}