labyrinth

n. [ L. labyrinthus, Gr. laby`rinthos: cf. F. labyrinthe. ] 1. An edifice or place full of intricate passageways which render it difficult to find the way from the interior to the entrance; as, the Egyptian and Cretan labyrinths. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The Labyrinth of Classical Mythology was a vast maze constructed by Daedalus on the island of Crete, in order to confine the Minotaur; the task was done at the command of King Minos. One theory suggests that the myth had some basis in the structure of the palace of King Minos at Knossos, in Crete, it being a multistoried royal palace with labyrinthine passages between rooms. [ PJC ]

2. Hence: Any intricate or involved inclosure; especially, an ornamental maze or inclosure in a park or garden, having high hedges separating confusingly convoluted passages. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Any object or arrangement of an intricate or involved form, or having a very complicated nature. [ 1913 Webster ]

The serpent . . . fast sleeping soon he found,
In labyrinth of many a round self-rolled. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

The labyrinth of the mind. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. An inextricable or bewildering difficulty. [ 1913 Webster ]

I' the maze and winding labyrinths o' the world. Denham. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Anat.) The internal ear. See Note under Ear. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Metal.) A series of canals through which a stream of water is directed for suspending, carrying off, and depositing at different distances, the ground ore of a metal. Ure. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. (Arch.) A pattern or design representing a maze, -- often inlaid in the tiled floor of a church, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Maze; confusion; intricacy; windings. -- Labyrinth, Maze. Labyrinth, originally; the name of an edifice or excavation, carries the idea of design, and construction in a permanent form, while maze is used of anything confused or confusing, whether fixed or shifting. Maze is less restricted in its figurative uses than labyrinth. We speak of the labyrinth of the ear, or of the mind, and of a labyrinth of difficulties; but of the mazes of the dance, the mazes of political intrigue, or of the mind being in a maze. [ 1913 Webster ]