complesse

Complesse is primarily encountered as the feminine plural form of the Italian adjective complesso, meaning complex. In English-language writing, complesse is not a standard term and is usually seen only as a loanword, a misspelling of complexes, or as a proper noun in a specific context.

Etymology and grammar: The adjective complesso derives from Latin complexus, from com- “together” and plectere “to weave.” The feminine plural form complesse agrees with feminine plural nouns: strutture complesse, reti complesse, idee complesse.

Usage and translation: When translating Italian texts, complesse should be rendered according to the noun it modifies. For example, with a singular feminine noun such as una struttura complessa, the translation is “a complex structure.” With feminine plurals such as strutture complesse or idee complesse, it becomes “complex structures” or “complex ideas,” respectively. It is important to distinguish complesse (feminine plural) from the masculine plural complessi and from the feminine singular complessa.

Examples: Strutture complesse richiedono pianificazione translates to complex structures require planning. Idee complesse can be translated as complex ideas.

See also: Italian language adjectives, complesso, complex (concept).