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# simplex

adjective (simplex); noun (a simplex, simplexes or simplices)

«simplex» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (technical) Simple, made of one part; not compound. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/simplex/#m1)
2. (communication) A simplex link sends messages in only one direction, like a radio broadcast (unlike duplex, which goes both ways). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/simplex/#m2)
3. (maths) A simplex is the simplest shape in any number of dimensions: a point, a line segment, a triangle, a tetrahedron. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/simplex/#m3)
4. (medicine) In "herpes simplex", the name of the virus that causes cold sores. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/simplex/#m4)

### In the lessons

In maths, a triangle is a 2-dimensional simplex and a tetrahedron (a triangle-based pyramid) is a 3-dimensional one. In computing and science, "simplex" describes one-way communication. In health, herpes simplex causes cold sores. Most pupils will meet the word only in these technical uses. Phrases: simplex method (a maths way to solve problems), herpes simplex, simplex communication.

### Examples

- A triangle is a simplex in two dimensions. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/simplex/#x1)
- A TV broadcast is simplex: it only goes one way. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/simplex/#x2)
- Cold sores are caused by herpes simplex virus. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/simplex/#x3)
- A tetrahedron is a three-dimensional simplex. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/simplex/#x4)
- Walkie-talkies are half-duplex, not simplex. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/simplex/#x5)
- The simplex method helps factories plan their work. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/simplex/#x6)

### Note

A technical word, not used in everyday speech. Plural: simplexes or simplices. Opposite in communication: duplex (two-way). "Simplex" is Latin for simple.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «simplex» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/simplex/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«simplex» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/simplex.html) on Mova free.