Lewis & Short

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2. complexus (con-), ūs, m. [complector], a surrounding, encompassing, encircling, embracing, embrace, etc. (class. in prose and poetry).

  1. I. Lit.
    1. A. Prop.
      1. 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. 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, id. 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.
    2. B. Transf., as a measure, the reach: (cedrus) crassitudinis ad trium hominum conplexum, Plin. 16, 40, 76, § 203.
  2. II. Trop.
    1. 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.
    2. 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.