\Lab"y*rinth\, 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.
2. Any intricate or involved inclosure; especially, an
   ornamental maze or inclosure in a park or garden.
3. Any object or arrangement of an intricate or involved
   form, or having a very complicated nature.
         The serpent . . . fast sleeping soon he found, In
         labyrinth of many a round self-rolled. --Milton.
         The labyrinth of the mind.            --Tennyson.
4. An inextricable or bewildering difficulty.
         I' the maze and winding labyrinths o' the world.
                                               --Denham.
5. (Anat.) The internal ear. See Note under {Ear}.
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.
7. (Arch.) A pattern or design representing a maze, -- often
   inlaid in the tiled floor of a church, etc.
Syn: Maze; confusion; intricacy; windings.
Usage: {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.