Circuities

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A series of complex and indirect routes or pathways that can lead to a destination
2. Intricate and often convoluted paths that deviate from a direct course in navigation or argumentation
3. An arrangement characterized by roundabout ways or approaches, often resulting in complications or delays

Etymology: The plural "circuities" is simply the plural of "circuity," which is a noun formed from "circuit" plus the suffix "-y." That suffix, traceable back through Old French and Latin, was used to form abstract nouns of quality or condition, so "circuity" names the state of being circuitous, or the quality of going around. The word is a plain English formation: the base "circuit" came into English from Old French, and the "-y" was attached in English itself. Because "circuity" is a noun for an abstract quality, its plural "circuities" refers to particular instances of that quality, the separate roundabout arrangements or routes that together show it. Speakers reach for the plural when they want to point at several distinct examples of indirection rather than the general idea.

Synonyms: complexity, involutions, meanderings, twists, turns

Antonyms: straightforwardness, simplicity, directness, clarity, plainness