complicate

Where does the word "complicate" come from? It comes from Latin complicare, and was adopted directly into English (1600s).

Complicate’s story begins in Latin: complicare meant “to fold together.” To fold together thoroughly, from com- (together) and plicare (to fold). It reached English by 1600s as complicate. Settled as the English word for making something more difficult or complex. Today, complicate means to make something more difficult, complex, or confusing.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient complicare "to fold together", to fold together thoroughly, from com- (together) and plicare (to fold).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1600s complicate "to make something more difficult or complex", settled as the English word for making something more difficult or complex.