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Byzantine

adjective

/bɪˈzantʌɪn/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of byzantine

Extremely complicated and convoluted, often to the point of being difficult to understand.
"The tax code was so Byzantine that even the experts had trouble navigating it."

Detailed meaning of byzantine

This term is used to describe systems, processes, or situations that are characterized by intricate details, numerous interconnecting parts, and a lack of transparency. A Byzantine solution is one that is overly complex and convoluted, making it challenging for individuals to grasp the underlying logic or methodology. In a Byzantine environment, it can be difficult to determine cause and effect, and the relationships between different components may be unclear. This complexity can lead to confusion, mistakes, and inefficiency. The term is often used to criticize situations or solutions that are unnecessarily complicated and could be improved with a more straightforward approach.

Byzantine also refers to the culture, art, architecture, and social institutions of the Byzantine Empire, which was the eastern half of the Roman Empire that survived for over a thousand years after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. The term is also used to describe the empire's style of government, which was characterized by complexity, intrigue, and a lack of transparency.

Example sentences containing byzantine

1. The Byzantine legal system, with its intricate rules and procedures, often left people perplexed.
2. Navigating the Byzantine bureaucracy of the government required expert guidance.
3. The Byzantine complexities of the project's design led to numerous delays.
4. The instructions were couched in Byzantine terminology that only experts could decipher.
5. Investors were baffled by the deal's Byzantine terms and conditions.
6. Many struggled to comprehend the Byzantine intricacies of the tax code.

History and etymology of byzantine

The adjective 'Byzantine' has an intriguing etymology rooted in the Byzantine Empire, the Eastern Roman Empire that endured for centuries after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. The term 'Byzantine' originally referred to the complex and intricate political, religious, and administrative systems of the Byzantine Empire. It was used to describe the elaborate court ceremonies, intricate bureaucracy, and convoluted legal processes of the Byzantines. Over time, this historical association with complexity and intricacy led to the term 'Byzantine' being applied metaphorically to describe any situation, system, or process that is extremely complicated and convoluted, often to the point of being difficult to understand. Hence, when we use the term 'Byzantine' today, it reflects its historical roots in the complexity of the Byzantine Empire and signifies a similarly intricate and bewildering complexity in a broader context.

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Further usage examples of byzantine

1. Some readers found the plot of the novel overly Byzantine, making it hard to follow.
2. Users were frustrated by the software's Byzantine interface, leading to usability issues.
3. The negotiation process became bogged down in Byzantine details and disputes.
4. Understanding the Byzantine rituals of the ceremony proved to be a time-consuming challenge.
5. Progress on the project was hindered by the Byzantine structure of decision-making.
6. Critics described the political system as Byzantine due to its complexity and opacity.
7. The company's policies were criticized for their Byzantine nature, making compliance difficult.
8. The artwork's symbolism was deeply rooted in Byzantine traditions and iconography.
9. What began as a simple discussion soon devolved into a Byzantine debate with no clear resolution.
10. The historical period was marked by Byzantine politics, characterized by intrigue and manipulation.
11. The organization's hierarchy seemed impenetrably Byzantine, with layers of management.
12. Mastering the Byzantine rules and regulations of the process was a daunting task.
13. The campaign's strategy appeared Byzantine and convoluted, leaving many puzzled.
14. Finding the solution to the problem was like navigating a Byzantine maze of information and options.
15. The instructions were so Byzantine that he couldn't make sense of them.
16. The legal document was written in such Byzantine language that it was impossible to understand.
17. The bureaucratic process was so Byzantine that it took months to get a simple task done.
18. The computer program's code was so Byzantine that no one could figure out how it worked.
19. The accounting system was so Byzantine that it was difficult to get accurate financial reports.
20. The organizational structure was so Byzantine that it was hard to know who was in charge.
21. The construction plans were so Byzantine that it was difficult to figure out how to build the project.
22. The policy was so Byzantine that it was hard to know how to comply with it.
23. The regulations were so Byzantine that it was difficult to know how to follow them.
24. The political system was so Byzantine that it was hard to know how power was really wielded.
25. The process was so Byzantine that it was difficult to know how to get things done.