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complexus (con- ), ūs, m. complector,
I.a surrounding, encompassing, encircling, embracing, embrace, etc. (class. in prose and poetry).
I. Lit.
A. Prop.
1. Of things (rare): “aether Omnia avido complexu cetera saepsit,” Lucr. 5, 471; so id. 2, 1066: “qui (mundus) omnia complexu suo coërcet et continet,” Cic. N. D. 2, 22, 58; 2, 40, 101: “lapides alligati complexu silicis,” by a binding, Plin. 36, 22, 45, § 161.—
2. Of persons: “secutae conlocutiones cum Trebonio complexusque,” Cic. Phil. 11, 2, 5: “corporum,” id. Tusc. 3, 20, 46: “e complexu parentum abreptos filios ad necem ducere,” Cic. Verr. 2, 1, 3, § 7: “ubi complexu coierunt membra tenaci,” in a mutual close embrace, Ov. M. 4, 377: “complexu matris avellere natam,” Cat. 62, 21; cf. id. 64, 88; 64, 118; Cic. Font. 17, 36; id. Fl. 38, 95; Liv. 2, 40, 5; Quint. 6, 1, 42; 8, 3, 68: “Venerio,” in copulation, Cic. Div. 2, 69, 143.—In plur., * Hor. S, 1, 5, 43; Verg. A. 5, 742; Ov. M. 3, 286; 10, 388; 6, 249.—Rarely (like complector itself), of hostile embrace, close combat: “in Martis complexu cadere,” Quint. Decl. 4, 22: “armorum,” Tac. Agr. 36; cf. “of a serpent: longis amplexibus illos necat,” Ov. M. 3, 48: “luctari complexu,” Plin. 9, 30, 48, § 91.—
B. Transf., as a measure, the reach: “(cedrus) crassitudinis ad trium hominum conplexum,” Plin. 16, 40, 76, § 203.—
II. Trop.
A. A connection in discourse (very freq. in Quint.): “vitium non est in sensu, sed in complexu,” Quint. 1, 5, 46; cf. id. 9, 4, 32: “brevis verborum,” id. 7, 3, 18: “sermonis,” id. 9, 3, 18: “in complexu loquendi serieque,” id. 1, 5, 3: “legum aliorumque scriptorum,” id. 5, 10, 107: “causarum,” id. 5, 10, 103; 7, 2, 57: “rerum, personarum, temporum,” id. 3, 5, 7 et saep.—
B. A friendly embracing, love, affectionate relation, etc.: “venisti in sinum et complexum tuae mimulae,” Cic. Phil. 2, 25, 61; cf.: “res publica Pompeii filium suo sinu complexuque recipiet,” id. ib. 13, 4, 9; id. Pis. 9, 19: “totius gentis humanae,” id. Fin. 5, 23, 65; id. Cat. 2, 10, 22: “at tu easdem artes in complexu, oculis, auribus habes,” Plin. Pan. 47, 2.
A Latin Dictionary. Founded on Andrews' edition of Freund's Latin dictionary. revised, enlarged, and in great part rewritten by. Charlton T. Lewis, Ph.D. and. Charles Short, LL.D. Oxford. Clarendon Press. 1879.

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hide References (30 total)
  • Cross-references in general dictionaries from this page (30):
    • Cicero, Against Catiline, 2.10.22
    • Cicero, Philippics, 11.2.5
    • Cicero, Philippics, 2.25.61
    • Cicero, Against Verres, 2.1.7
    • Cicero, For Marcus Fonteius, 17.36
    • Cicero, Against Piso, 9.19
    • Ovid, Metamorphoses, 3.286
    • Ovid, Metamorphoses, 3.48
    • Ovid, Metamorphoses, 4.377
    • Vergil, Aeneid, 5.742
    • Tacitus, Agricola, 36
    • Lucretius, De Rerum Natura, 2.1066
    • Lucretius, De Rerum Natura, 5.471
    • Pliny the Elder, Naturalis Historia, 9.91
    • Livy, The History of Rome, Book 2, 40.5
    • Cicero, de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum, 5.23
    • Cicero, de Natura Deorum, 2.22
    • Cicero, De Divinatione, 2.69
    • Cicero, Tusculanae Disputationes, 3.20
    • Quintilian, Institutio Oratoria, Book 3, 5.7
    • Quintilian, Institutio Oratoria, Book 1, 5.3
    • Quintilian, Institutio Oratoria, Book 1, 5.46
    • Quintilian, Institutio Oratoria, Book 5, 10.103
    • Quintilian, Institutio Oratoria, Book 5, 10.107
    • Quintilian, Institutio Oratoria, Book 6, 1.42
    • Quintilian, Institutio Oratoria, Book 7, 2.57
    • Quintilian, Institutio Oratoria, Book 8, 3.68
    • Quintilian, Institutio Oratoria, Book 9, 3.18
    • Quintilian, Institutio Oratoria, Book 9, 4.32
    • Quintilian, Institutio Oratoria, Book 7, 3.18
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