I.a combination, connection.
I. Prop.
A. In gen.: “(atomorum),” Cic. Fin. 1, 6, 19.—Of the zodiac, App. de Mundo, p. 57, 37.—
B. Esp., in late Lat., for a physical constitution or habit: bona, Firm. Math. 5, 9.—
II. Trop.
A. In gen., a combination, association: “cumulata bonorum,” Cic. Tusc. 5, 10, 28.—
B. Esp.
1. Of discourse: “brevis totius negotii,” comprehension, comprisal, Cic. Inv. 1, 26, 37: “mira verborum,” id. Phil. 2, 37, 95.—
2. T. t.
a. In rhet.
(α).
A period: “longissima est igitur complexio verborum, quae volvi uno spiritu potest,” Cic. de Or. 3, 47, 182: “nec acervatim multa frequentans unā complexione devinciet,” crowd into one period, id. Or. 25, 85.—
(β).
A rhetorical figure, according to which one constantly recurs to what has been previously said, Auct. Her. 4, 14, 20.—
b. In philos. lang.
(α).
A conclusion in a syllogism, Auct. Her. 2, 18, 28; 2, 29, 40; Cic. Inv. 1, 37, 67; 1, 40, 72; 1, 47, 87; Quint. 5, 14, 5 sq.—
c. In gram., a contraction of two syllables into one, for the Gr. συναίρεσις and συναλοιφή (opp. divisio), Quint. 1, 5, 17; cf. id. 1, 5, 6.