Back to all words

Byzantine

2 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means excessively complicated, intricate, or characterized by devious dealing
1
Stage 1 of 2
Byzantion
Greek · ancient
"the city of Byzantium"
the ancient city later renamed Constantinople, capital of the Eastern Roman Empire
2
Stage 2 of 2
byzantine
English · 1600s
"excessively complicated or intricate"
broadened from the empire's name to describe excessively complex, intricate systems
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom