complexus Latin · revision 9316

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Pacuvius|origins=la plectō}}

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+ ==Forms==

+ '''complexus''' ''m'' (genitive complexūs); fourth declension^(Wiktionary)

+ It is also spelled ''conplexus''.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is from [[complector]] “to embrace” with the suffix [[-tus]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The OLD's earliest citation is from Pacuvius, of encircling.^(OLD 2012) Köbler's first source is Cicero.^(Köbler 2010)

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+ ==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.^(OLD 2012) Ovid uses it of a grasp, hold.^(OLD 2012) Gaffiot cites ''mundus omnia complexū suō continet'' “the world contains all things in its embrace”.^(Gaffiot 2016)

+

+ In Medieval Latin it meant an association, partnership.^(Niermeyer 1976) Bede uses it.^(Köbler 2010) [[en|complex]] (1650s) came through French ''complexe'' from the participle ''complexus'' “surrounding, embracing”.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 220–130 BC – Pacuvius uses it.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of embraces.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1650s – English ''complex'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # An [[m|en|embrace]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # An encircling.^(OLD 2012)

+ # A grasp; comprehension.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Inclusion.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[complector]]

+ * [[plectō]]

+ * [[en|complex]]

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+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}