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What is the difference between complex and simple?

complex | simple |

Complex is an antonym of simple.


In context|mathematics|lang=en terms the difference between complex and simple

is that complex is (mathematics) of a number, of the form a + bi'', where ''a'' and ''b'' are real numbers and ''i is a square root of −1 while simple is (mathematics) of a group: having no normal subgroup.

In context|chemistry|lang=en terms the difference between complex and simple

is that complex is (chemistry) a structure consisting of a central atom or molecule weakly connected to surrounding atoms or molecules while simple is (chemistry) consisting of one single substance; uncompounded.

As adjectives the difference between complex and simple

is that complex is made up of multiple parts; composite; not simple while simple is uncomplicated; taken by itself, with nothing added.

As nouns the difference between complex and simple

is that complex is a problem while simple is (medicine) a preparation made from one plant, as opposed to something made from more than one plant.

As verbs the difference between complex and simple

is that complex is (chemistry|intransitive) to form a complex with another substance while simple is (transitive|intransitive|archaic) to gather simples, ie, medicinal herbs.

complex

Adjective

(complex number) (en adjective)
  • Made up of multiple parts; composite; not simple.
  • a complex''' being; a '''complex idea
  • * John Locke
  • Ideas thus made up of several simple ones put together, I call complex ; such as beauty, gratitude, a man, an army, the universe.
  • Not simple, easy, or straightforward; complicated.
  • * Whewell
  • When the actual motions of the heavens are calculated in the best possible way, the process is difficult and complex .
  • (mathematics) Of a number, of the form a + bi'', where ''a'' and ''b'' are real numbers and ''i is a square root of −1.
  • complex function
  • (geometry) A curve, polygon or other figure that crosses or intersects itself.
  • Synonyms

    * (not simple) complicated, detailed, difficult, hard, intricate, involved, tough

    Antonyms

    * (not simple) basic, easy, simple, straightforward

    Derived terms

    * complexity * complexness

    Noun

  • A problem.
  • A collection of buildings with a common purpose, such as a university or military base.
  • Assemblage of related things; collection.
  • * South
  • This parable of the wedding supper comprehends in it the whole complex of all the blessings and privileges exhibited by the gospel.
  • A psychological dislike or fear of a particular thing.
  • An organized cluster of thunderstorms.
  • (chemistry) A structure consisting of a central atom or molecule weakly connected to surrounding atoms or molecules.
  • * {{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=September-October, author= Katie L. Burke
  • , magazine=(American Scientist), title= In the News , passage=Oxygen levels on Earth skyrocketed 2.4 billion years ago, when cyanobacteria evolved photosynthesis:

    Derived terms

    * military-entertainment complex * military-industrial complex * Oedipus complex * prison-industrial complex * vitamin B complex * protein complex * chelate complex

    Verb

    (es)
  • (chemistry) To form a complex with another substance
  • simple

    English

    Adjective

    (er)
  • Uncomplicated; taken by itself, with nothing added.
  • *
  • *:“[…] We are engaged in a great work, a treatise on our river fortifications, perhaps? But since when did army officers afford the luxury of amanuenses in this simple republic?”
  • *2001 , Sydney I. Landau, Dictionaries: The Art and Craft of Lexicography , Cambridge University Press (ISBN 0-521-78512-X), page 167,
  • *:There is no simple way to define precisely a complex arrangement of parts, however homely the object may appear to be.
  • Without ornamentation; plain.
  • Free from duplicity; guileless, innocent, straightforward.
  • * (ca.1576-1634)
  • *:Full many fine men go upon my score, as simple as I stand here, and I trust them.
  • *(Lord Byron) (1788-1824)
  • *:Must thou trust Tradition's simple tongue?
  • *(Ralph Waldo Emerson) (1803-1882)
  • *:To be simple is to be great.
  • Undistinguished in social condition; of no special rank.
  • Trivial; insignificant.
  • *1485 , (Thomas Malory), (w, Le Morte d'Arthur) , Book X:
  • *:‘That was a symple cause,’ seyde Sir Trystram, ‘for to sle a good knyght for seyynge well by his maystir.’
  • Feeble-minded; foolish.
  • Structurally uncomplicated.
  • #(lb) Consisting of one single substance; uncompounded.
  • #(lb) Of a group: having no normal subgroup.
  • #(lb) Not compound, but possibly lobed.
  • #(lb) Consisting of a single individual or zooid; not compound.
  • #:
  • #(lb) Homogenous.
  • (lb) Mere; not other than; being only.
  • *(William Shakespeare) (1564-1616)
  • *:A medicinewhose simple touch / Is powerful to araise King Pepin.
  • Synonyms

    * (consisting of a single part or aspect) onefold * (having few parts or features) plain * See also

    Antonyms

    * (having few parts or features) complex, compound, complicated * (uncomplicated) subtle

    Derived terms

    * fee simple * future simple * oversimple * past simple * plain and simple * present simple * pure and simple * simple beam * simple connectivity * simple contract * simple dislocation * simple equation * simple extension * simple eye * simple fraction * simple fracture * simple fruit * simple function * simple future * simple group * simple harmonic motion * simple-hearted * simple interest * simple leaf * simple linear regression * simple machine * simple mastectomy * simple microscope * simple-minded * simple past * simple pendulum * simple pistil * simple pole * simple present * simple protein * simple regression * simple sentence * Simple Simon * simple sugar * simple syrup * simple time * simple trust * simplehead * simpleness * simpless * simplex * simply * single * simplicity * simpleton

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (medicine) A preparation made from one plant, as opposed to something made from more than one plant.
  • *, II.37:
  • *:I know there are some simples , which in operation are moistening and some drying.
  • *Sir W. Temple
  • *:What virtue is in this remedy lies in the naked simple itself as it comes over from the Indies.
  • (obsolete) A term for a physician, derived from the medicinal term above.
  • (logic) A simple or atomic proposition.
  • (obsolete) Something not mixed or compounded.
  • *Shakespeare
  • *:compounded of many simples
  • (weaving) A drawloom.
  • (weaving) Part of the apparatus for raising the heddles of a drawloom.
  • (Roman Catholic) A feast which is not a double or a semidouble.
  • Verb

    (simpl)
  • (transitive, intransitive, archaic) To gather simples, ie, medicinal herbs.
  • Derived terms

    * simpler * simplist * simplify

    Statistics

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    Anagrams

    * 1000 English basic words ----