Intricate
/ˈɪn.trɪ.kət/noun
Having many parts or details that are closely connected or hard to untangle.
Did you know?Intricate comes from Latin in- + trīcāre, linked to tricae, meaning “trifles” or “entanglements,” so its oldest sense is literally about being caught up in a verbal snare.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
intricāre
“to entangle, perplex, or embroil”
Latin
Latin
trīcae
“entanglements, hindrances, trifles”
Late Latin
Latin
intricatus
“entangled, complicated”
16th Century
English
intricate
“entangled or involved; complicated”
Modern English
English
intricate
“having many closely arranged and interconnected parts or details”