adj
Byzantine
bih-ZAN-tyn
adj
1
Relating to the Byzantine Empire or its art and architecture.
"The cathedral's mosaics are a fine example of Byzantine style."
2
Excessively complicated, especially describing rules or bureaucracy.
"Getting a visa involved a byzantine set of forms and approvals."
How to Use Byzantine
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither literally about the Byzantine Empire, or figuratively describing something needlessly convoluted.
Common pairings
byzantine bureaucracy
byzantine rules
byzantine architecture
Word Forms
more Byzantine comparative, byzantines plural, most Byzantine superlative
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Etymology
From Late Latin bȳzantīnus, from Byzantium — the figurative "overly complicated" sense comes from the reputation of the Byzantine imperial court for intrigue and complex politics.