intricate

complex, complicated, sophisticated, intricate

这些形容词均含“复杂的”之意。
complex: 侧重内在关系的复杂，需通过仔细研究与了解才能掌握和运用。
complicated: 与complex的含义接近，但语气更强，着重极其复杂，很难分析、分辨或解释。
sophisticated: 侧重指事物发展到或达到高级的程度所体现出的复杂。
intricate: 着重指错综复杂，令人迷惑理解。

形容词 intricate:

1. having many complexly arranged elements; elaborate

1. The condition or quality of being intricate; complexity.
   错综复杂错综复杂的状况或特征; 复杂
2. Complex, intricate, and involved.
   复杂的、错综的和涉及的
3. This is a novel with an intricate plot.
   这是一本情节错综复杂的小说。
4. I was unable to find out the intricate windings of the labyrinth.
   我无法找出迷宫中扑朔迷离的路线。

in.tri.cate

adj.（形容词）
Having many complexly arranged elements; elaborate.See Synonyms at elaborate
错综复杂的：具有许多排列复杂的成份的；复杂精细的参见 elaborate
Solvable or comprehensible only with painstaking effort.See Synonyms at complex
难理解的：只有经过刻苦的努力才能解决或理解的参见 complex

来源：
Middle English
中古英语
from Latin introc3tus [past participle of] introc3re [to entangle, perplex]
源自 拉丁语 introc3tus [] introc3re的过去分词 [纠缠不清，使费解]
in- [in] * see in- 2
in- [在…里面] *参见 in-2
trocae [perplexities, wiles]
trocae [复杂状态，花招]

【引伸】
in.tricately
adv.（副词）
in.tricateness
n.（名词）