intricate

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++ldoce_170_bin·tri·cate /ˈɪntrɪkət/ adjective COMPLICATEDcontaining many small parts or details that all work or fit together 错综复杂的 → complex intricate patterns 繁复的图案► see thesaurus at complicated →5 See picture of an intricate pattern 繁复的图案 —intricately adverb intricately woven fabric 精细编织的织物

Examples from the Corpus

intricate• a pair of intricate beaded earrings• Lasers are used to cut intricate designs in wood.• intricate patterns of coloured marble• The farmers use an intricate system of drainage canals.• the intricate workings of a watchOrigin intricate (1400-1500) Latin past participle of intricare “to mix up in a complicated way”, from tricae “small unimportant things, things that get in your way”

in·tri·cate adjectiveChineseSyllable

containing or parts many Corpus that details small

intricate
in‧tri‧cate /ˈɪntrɪkət, ˈɪntrɪkɪt/

adjective

Date: 1400-1500
Language: Latin
Origin: past participle of intricare 'to mix up in a complicated way', from tricae 'small unimportant things, things that get in your way'

containing many small parts or details that all work or fit together ⇨ complex:

intricate patterns
—intricately adverb:

intricately woven fabric

THESAURUS

   ▪ complicated consisting of a lot of different parts or details and therefore difficult to understand: The rules of the game seemed very complicated. | I didn’t realize programming the VCR would be so complicated. | The brain is like a very powerful, very complicated computer. | a complicated issue
   ▪ complex a complex process, relationship etc is difficult to understand because it has a lot of parts that are all connected in different ways: The chemical processes involved are extremely complex. | the complex relationship between government and the media
   ▪ elaborate having a lot of parts or details and very carefully planned, but often more complicated than is necessary: Mike had worked out an elaborate system for categorizing his collection of DVDs. | The plan to kidnap her had become even more elaborate. | Sociologists have been coming up with increasingly elaborate theories to explain unsafe sexual practices.
   ▪ involved very long and complicated – use this especially about something that you think should be made simpler: The system for choosing candidates is very involved, and I won’t go into it here. | Adopting a child can be a long involved process.
   ▪ convoluted too complicated and difficult to understand – used especially about someone’s language or arguments, or about a system: convoluted sentences | Procedures for government funding have become more convoluted. | James’s books are full of long paragraphs and convoluted sentences, which many people do not find appealing.
   ▪ intricate having a lot of small parts or details – used especially about something that is cleverly designed or made: Lasers are used to cut intricate designs in the metal. | The farmers use an intricate system of drainage canals. | the intricate workings of a watch | intricate patterns of coloured marble

in·tri·cate

BrE

/ˈɪntrɪkət/

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NAmE

/ˈɪntrɪkət/

🔊

adjective