multiplex
UK[ˈmʌltɪpleks]US[ˈmʌltɪpleks]
adj
having or involving many parts or elements
adj
(of a signal or circuit) conveying or involving simultaneous transmission of several messages along a single channel of communication
n
a system for transmitting several messages or signals simultaneously on the same circuit or channel
n
a movie theater with several separate screens
Morpheme Breakdown
multi
plex
multi
many
plex
fold
Etymology
the word multiplex is a modern latin formation, directly from the classical latin adjective multiplex, meaning "manifold, having many folds". this term was itself a compound of multus ("many") and -plex ("fold"), from the verb plicare ("to fold, to weave"). the core logic of "folding" to create multiple layers or facets evolved into the abstract sense of multiplicity and complexity. in the 20th century, this classical term was adopted into technical english, first in telecommunications to describe a method of combining multiple signals, and later in cinema to denote a theater with multiple screens under one complex roof, both applications preserving the original sense of "many" combined into one entity.
Analysis
Structure: multi (many) + plex (fold)
multi- is a combining form from Latin multus, meaning "much, many". -plex is from Latin -plex, meaning "fold", derived from the verb plicare, "to fold".
Examples
the new multiplex cinema features twelve screens and an imax theater.
data is sent efficiently over the network using multiplex technology.
the problem was multiplex, involving economic, social, and political factors.