simplex
/ˈsɪm.pleks/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsɪm.pleks/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsim-ˌpleks/ (ame, mw) · /ˈsɪmpleks/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsɪmpleks/ (ame, ipa)
simplex — adjective
- simplexpositive
- more simplexcomparative
- most simplexsuperlative
1. made of or containing only one part, element, or structure, without added layers
made of or containing only one part, element, or structure, without added layers or complexity.
Dr. Okafor built a simplex machine with just one moving part for the science fair.
simplex + noun (machine, structure, design)
During a syntax lecture, the professor showed that a simplex sentence has one main clause, unlike a compound sentence.
contrast: simplex vs. compound sentence
In biology class, the teacher showed that a simplex cell has one nucleus, unlike muscle cells that contain many.
At the community library, the librarian used a simplex filing system with a single category for donated books.
A simplex system with one input valve is easier to maintain than a multi-valve setup.
文法句型
simplex + noun
用法筆記
Frequently used in technical fields such as biology, engineering, and linguistics. Avoid using this word in everyday conversation; use 'simple' instead.
常見錯誤
2. describing a communication channel or system that allows signals to travel in on
describing a communication channel or system that allows signals to travel in only one direction at a time.
A walkie-talkie uses a simplex channel so only one person can speak at a time.
simplex channel / one person speaks at a time
Theo explained that a radio broadcast is a simplex transmission since listeners cannot reply through the same signal.
The telecom engineer switched the network from duplex to simplex mode to reduce signal interference.
The night-shift nurse used a simplex intercom to call the main desk — only one person speaks at a time.
A simplex satellite link sends data to a station but cannot receive commands at once.
- one-way
non-technical equivalent
- unidirectional
more formal technical synonym
- duplex
allowing simultaneous two-way communication
- bidirectional
allowing communication in both directions
文法句型
simplex + noun
用法筆記
Commonly opposed to 'duplex' (two-way simultaneous communication). The term appears in radio, broadcasting, and network engineering contexts.
常見錯誤
simplex — noun
- simplexsingular
- simplexesplural
1. a word that consists of a single meaningful unit and cannot be broken down into
a word that consists of a single meaningful unit and cannot be broken down into smaller grammatical parts, such as 'cat,' 'run,' or 'tree.'
The students learned that 'book' is a simplex and 'bookshelf' is a compound.
simplex vs. compound word contrast
The professor asked the class to find five simplex words in the first paragraph.
Children usually learn simplex words like 'dog' and 'house' before they learn longer combinations.
Unlike 'unhappiness,' which has three meaningful parts, 'sad' is a simplex with only one component.
- simple word
less technical equivalent
- root word
overlapping but not identical; a root may be bound
- compound
word made of two or more free morphemes (e.g., 'bookshelf')
- derived word
word formed by adding affixes (e.g., 'happiness')
文法句型
a simplex
simplex + verb
用法筆記
In linguistics, simplex words are contrasted with compounds (e.g., 'teacup') and derived words (e.g., 'happiness'). Infections do not change a word's simplex status — 'runs' is still a simplex.
常見錯誤
2. in geometry, the simplest possible shape that can exist in a given number of dim
in geometry, the simplest possible shape that can exist in a given number of dimensions, formed by connecting a set of points in a straight-line arrangement.
A triangle is a two-dimensional simplex formed by three connected points in a plane.
triangle = 2-dimensional simplex (3 points)
The math professor drew a simplex on the board to show a basic geometric unit.
In topology, a tetrahedron is a three-dimensional simplex with four corners.
The research team used a simplex algorithm to find the most efficient network route.
- n-simplex
formal term specifying the number of dimensions
文法句型
a simplex
n-dimensional simplex
用法筆記
Primarily used in geometry and optimization theory. A point is a 0-dimensional simplex, a line segment is 1-dimensional, a triangle is 2-dimensional, and a tetrahedron is 3-dimensional.