Byzantine
adjective
Having a complex and elaborate structure.
The corporate hierarchy is byzantine in nature and difficult to navigate.
Usage tips
Formal
adjective
Connected to or involving the Eastern Orthodox Church or the old Byzantine Empire.
The church has some beautiful byzantine mosaics that attract tourists.
Often appears as...
- byzantine empire
- byzantine architecture
Usage tips
Formal
Historical
proper noun
The Eastern Roman Empire, after the fall of the Western Roman Empire in AD 476.
The Byzantine Empire managed to last for over a thousand years.
Usage tips
Formal
Historical
adjective
Having beautifully detailed artwork or decoration based on designs from the old Byzantine Empire.
The byzantine patterns on the clothing are exceptionally intricate.
Often appears as...
- byzantine jewelry
- byzantine frescoes
Usage tips
Formal
Artistic
adjective
Having a complex and elaborate structure.
The corporate hierarchy is byzantine in nature and difficult to navigate.
Usage tips
Formal
adjective
Connected to or involving the Eastern Orthodox Church or the old Byzantine Empire.
The church has some beautiful byzantine mosaics that attract tourists.
Often appears as...
- byzantine empire
- byzantine architecture
Usage tips
Formal
Historical
proper noun
The Eastern Roman Empire, after the fall of the Western Roman Empire in AD 476.
The Byzantine Empire managed to last for over a thousand years.
Usage tips
Formal
Historical
adjective
Having beautifully detailed artwork or decoration based on designs from the old Byzantine Empire.
The byzantine patterns on the clothing are exceptionally intricate.
Often appears as...
- byzantine jewelry
- byzantine frescoes
Usage tips
Formal
Artistic
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/3Complex Systems
Use 'byzantine' to describe structures that are excessively complicated and difficult to understand.
The tax regulations are byzantine and require an expert to decipher.
Pro Tip 2/3Metaphoric Usage
'Byzantine' can be metaphorically applied to situations or systems, not just physical structures.
The plot of the novel is as byzantine as the ancient city it's set in.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
Often has a negative connotation, implying something is overly complex in a frustrating way.
Navigating their customer service was a byzantine ordeal.
Pro Tip 1/3Complex Systems
Use 'byzantine' to describe structures that are excessively complicated and difficult to understand.
The tax regulations are byzantine and require an expert to decipher.
Pro Tip 2/3Metaphoric Usage
'Byzantine' can be metaphorically applied to situations or systems, not just physical structures.
The plot of the novel is as byzantine as the ancient city it's set in.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
Often has a negative connotation, implying something is overly complex in a frustrating way.
Navigating their customer service was a byzantine ordeal.
Pro Tip 1/3Complex Systems
Use 'byzantine' to describe structures that are excessively complicated and difficult to understand.
The tax regulations are byzantine and require an expert to decipher.
Pro Tip 2/3Metaphoric Usage
'Byzantine' can be metaphorically applied to situations or systems, not just physical structures.
The plot of the novel is as byzantine as the ancient city it's set in.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
Often has a negative connotation, implying something is overly complex in a frustrating way.
Navigating their customer service was a byzantine ordeal.
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Video examples
David Rockwell: Building...
Obviously, what you faced in trying to do something as substantial as this project -- and this is only one of four that you've designed to surround the site -- you must have run up against the incredibly byzantine, entrenched bureaucracy and powers that be
Video examples
Perfect Byzantine Ship PIPE...
Byzantine sailing ship was perfectly preserved no other ancient ship had ever been found in this pristine condition so it was an unprecedented find
Video examples
David Rockwell: Building...
Obviously, what you faced in trying to do something as substantial as this project -- and this is only one of four that you've designed to surround the site -- you must have run up against the incredibly byzantine, entrenched bureaucracy and powers that be
Video examples
Perfect Byzantine Ship PIPE...
Byzantine sailing ship was perfectly preserved no other ancient ship had ever been found in this pristine condition so it was an unprecedented find
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Glenn Kelman
American Businessman
In 2006, I appeared before a House subcommittee considering real estate reform. It was like visiting the capital for the 'Hunger Games' as an outsider in a glamorous and byzantine fairy tale: I couldn't believe how beautiful all the congressional aides were, and I never understood the system of bells and alarms warning legislators to vote.
Quote examples
Glenn Kelman
American Businessman
In 2006, I appeared before a House subcommittee considering real estate reform. It was like visiting the capital for the 'Hunger Games' as an outsider in a glamorous and byzantine fairy tale: I couldn't believe how beautiful all the congressional aides were, and I never understood the system of bells and alarms warning legislators to vote.
Example 1 of 1
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