Lewis & Short

complexĭo (conp-), ōnis, f. [complector] (Ciceron.), a combination, connection.

  1. I. Prop.
    1. A. In gen.: (atomorum), Cic. Fin. 1, 6, 19.
      Of the zodiac, App. de Mundo, p. 57, 37.
    2. B. Esp., in late Lat., for a physical constitution or habit: bona, Firm. Math. 5, 9.
  2. II. Trop.
    1. A. In gen., a combination, association: cumulata bonorum, Cic. Tusc. 5, 10, 28.
    2. B. Esp.
      1. 1. Of discourse: brevis totius negotii, comprehension, comprisal, Cic. Inv. 1, 26, 37: mira verborum, id. Phil. 2, 37, 95.
      2. 2. T. t.
        1. a. In rhet.
          1. (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.
          2. (β) A rhetorical figure, according to which one constantly recurs to what has been previously said, Auct. Her. 4, 14, 20.
        2. b. In philos. lang.
          1. (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.
          2. (β) A dilemma, Cic. Inv. 1, 29, 45; Ascon. ad Div. in Caecil. 14, 45.
        3. 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.