- intricate
- \ \ see TRICK
Word origins - 2ed. J. Ayto. 2005.
intricate
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Intricate — In tri*cate, a. [L. intricatus, p. p. of intricare to entangle, perplex. Cf. {Intrigue}, {Extricate}.] Entangled; involved; perplexed; complicated; difficult to understand, follow, arrange, or adjust; as, intricate machinery, labyrinths, accounts … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
intricate — [in′tri kit] adj. [L intricatus, pp. of intricare, to entangle, perplex, embarrass < in , in + tricae, vexations: see TRICK] 1. hard to follow or understand because full of puzzling parts, details, or relationships [an intricate problem] 2.… … English World dictionary
Intricate — In tri*cate, v. t. To entangle; to involve; to make perplexing. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] It makes men troublesome, and intricates all wise discourses. Jer. Taylor. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
intricate — I adjective complex, complicated, delicate, difficult, elaborate, involved, tangled, tricky II index complex, compound, elaborate, incomprehensible … Law dictionary
intricate — early 15c., from L. intricatus entangled, pp. of intricare to entangle, perplex, embarrass, from in in (see IN (Cf. in ) (2)) + tricae (pl.) perplexities, hindrances, toys, tricks, of uncertain origin (Cf. extricate). Related: Intricately … Etymology dictionary
intricate — complicated, involved, *complex, knotty Analogous words: perplexing, puzzling, mystifying, bewildering (see PUZZLE vb): tortuous (see WINDING): difficult, *hard, arduous Contrasted words: *easy, simple, light, smooth, facile, effortless: obvious … New Dictionary of Synonyms
intricate — [adj] complicated, elaborate abstruse, baroque, Byzantine*, can of worms*, complex, convoluted, Daedal*, difficult, entangled, fancy, hard, high tech*, involved, labyrinthine, obscure, perplexing, rococo, sophisticated, tangled, tortuous, tricky; … New thesaurus
intricate — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ very complicated or detailed. DERIVATIVES intricately adverb. ORIGIN from Latin intricare entangle , from tricae tricks, puzzles … English terms dictionary
intricate — adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Latin intricatus, past participle of intricare to entangle, from in + tricae trifles, complications Date: 15th century 1. having many complexly interrelating parts or elements ; complicated < intricate… … New Collegiate Dictionary
intricate — intricately, adv. intricateness, n. /in tri kit/, adj. 1. having many interrelated parts or facets; entangled or involved: an intricate maze. 2. complex; complicated; hard to understand, work, or make: an intricate machine. [1375 1425; late ME … Universalium
intricate — 1. adjective /ˈɪn.trɪ.kət/lang=en having a great deal of fine detail or complexity The architecture of this clock is very intricate. 2. verb /ˈɪn.trɪ.kət/lang=en a) To become enmeshed or … Wiktionary
