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. 'apoplhxi`a, fr. 'apoplh`ssein to cripple by a stroke; 'apo` from + plh`ssein to strike: cf. F. apoplexie. See Plague. ] (Med.) Sudden diminution or loss of consciousness, sensation, and voluntary motion, usually caused by pressure on the brain. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ 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 (Chenopodiaceae); its members include species called orach and saltbush.
Syn. -- genus Atriplex. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

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. -- Cat`a*plec"tic a. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

a. [ L. complexus, p. p. of complecti to entwine around, comprise; com- + plectere to twist, akin to plicare to fold. See Plait, n. ] 1. Composed of two or more parts; composite; not simple; as, a complex being; a complex idea. [ 1913 Webster ]

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 ]

2. Involving many parts; complicated; intricate. [ 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. See Fraction. --
Complex number (Math.), in the theory of numbers, an expression of the form a + b√-1, when a and b are ordinary integers.

Syn. -- See Intricate. [ 1913 Webster ]

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.), all the possible straight lines in space being considered, the entire system of lines which satisfy a single relation constitute a complex; as, all the lines which meet a given curve make up a complex. The lines which satisfy two relations constitute a congruency of lines; as, the entire system of lines, each one of which meets two given surfaces, is a congruency. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. ] 1. The state of being complex; complexity. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

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 ]

2. A combination; a complex. [ Archaic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

This paragraph is . . . a complexion of sophisms. Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The bodily constitution; the temperament; habitude, or natural disposition; character; nature. [ Obs. ] [ 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 ]

4. The color or hue of the skin, esp. of the face. [ 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 ]

5. The general appearance or aspect; as, the complexion of the sky; the complexion of the news. [ 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; as, a dark-complexioned or a ruddy-complexioned person. [ 1913 Webster ]

A flower is the best-complexioned grass, as a pearl is the best-colored clay. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Complexities [ Cf. F. complexité. ] 1. The state of being complex; intricacy; entanglement. [ 1913 Webster ]

The objects of society are of the greatest possible complexity. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which is complex; intricacy; complication. [ 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. Diplex and contraplex are the two varieties of duplex. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

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. ] 1. Double; twofold. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Computers) organized so that data may be transmitted in two opposite directions over the same channel; -- of communications channels, such as data transfer lines between computers. [ PJC ]

Duplex escapement, a peculiar kind of watch escapement, in which the scape-wheel has two sets of teeth. See Escapement. --
Duplex lathe, one for turning off, screwing, and surfacing, by means of two cutting tools, on opposite sides of the piece operated upon. --
Duplex pumping engine, a steam pump in which two steam cylinders are placed side by side, one operating the valves of the other. --
Duplex querela [ L., double complaint ] (Eccl. Law), a complaint in the nature of an appeal from the ordinary to his immediate superior, as from a bishop to an archbishop. Mozley & W. --
Duplex telegraphy, a system of telegraphy for sending two messages over the same wire simultaneously. --
Duplex watch, one with a duplex escapement. --
half duplex (Computers) (a) arranged so that the information may be transmitted in both directions, but only in one direction at a time; -- of communications channels between computers; contrasted with full duplex(a). (b) arranged so that the information transmitted to the remote computer also appears on the local terminal; -- of communications channels between computers; contrasted with full duplex(b). --
full duplex, (Computers) (a) arranged so that the information may be transmitted in both directions simultaneously; -- of communications channels between computers; contrasted with half duplex(a). (b) arranged so that the information transmitted to the remote computer does not appear on the local terminal; -- of communications channels between computers; contrasted with half duplex(b). [ 1913 Webster ]

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. ] 1. something which is duplex; -- used mostly in reference to a living unit, such as an apartment, in a building having two similar living units. [ PJC ]

2. (Biology, Genetics) a double-stranded region in a nucleic acid molecule. See deoxyribonucleic acid. [ PJC ]

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; 'epi` + &unr_; to strike. ] (Rhet.) A figure by which a person seeks to convince and move by an elegant kind of upbraiding. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. pl. [ NL., fr. Gr. e'y^ well + &unr_; to plait + &unr_; a wing. ] (Zoöl.) An order of insects, including the earwig. The anterior wings are short, in the form of elytra, while the posterior wings fold up beneath them. See Earwig. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ imp. & p. p. Perplexed p. pr. & vb. n. Perplexing. ] [ L. perplexari. See Perplex, a. ] 1. To involve; to entangle; to make intricate or complicated, and difficult to be unraveled or understood; as, to perplex one with doubts. [ 1913 Webster ]

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 ]

2. To embarrass; to puzzle; to distract; to bewilder; to confuse; to trouble with ambiguity, suspense, or anxiety. “Perplexd beyond self-explication.” Shak. [ 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 ]

3. To plague; to vex; to torment. Glanvill. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To entangle; involve; complicate; embarrass; puzzle; bewilder; confuse; distract. See Embarrass. [ 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. -- Per*plex"ed*ly adv. -- Per*plex"ed*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Embarrassing; puzzling; troublesome. “Perplexing thoughts.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Perplexities [ L. perplexitas: cf. F. perplexité. ] The quality or state of being perplexed or puzzled; complication; intricacy; entanglement; distraction of mind through doubt or difficulty; embarrassment; bewilderment; doubt. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ Written also plexometer. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Plexus. ] The act or process of weaving together, or interweaving; that which is woven together. H. Brooke. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. L. Plexus, E. Plexuses [ L., a twining, braid, fr. plectere, plexum, to twine, braid. ] 1. (Anat.) A network of vessels, nerves, or fibers. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Math.) The system of equations required for the complete expression of the relations which exist between a set of quantities. Brande & C. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A network; an intricate or interwoven combination of elements or parts in a coherent structure.

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 system by which four messages, two in each direction, may be sent simultaneously over the wire. [ 1913 Webster ]

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 ]