Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Simple \Sim"ple\, a. [Compar. {Simpler}; superl. {Simplest}.]
   [F., fr. L. simplus, or simplex, gen. simplicis. The first
   part of the Latin words is probably akin to E. same, and the
   sense, one, one and the same; cf. L. semel once, singuli one
   to each, single. Cg. {Single}, a., {Same}, a., and for the
   last part of the word cf. {Double}, {Complex}.]
   1. Single; not complex; not infolded or entangled;
      uncombined; not compounded; not blended with something
      else; not complicated; as, a simple substance; a simple
      idea; a simple sound; a simple machine; a simple problem;
      simple tasks.

   2. Plain; unadorned; as, simple dress. ``Simple truth.''
      --Spenser. ``His simple story.'' --Burns.

   3. Mere; not other than; being only.

            A medicine . . . whose simple touch Is powerful to
            araise King Pepin.                    --Shak.

   4. Not given to artifice, stratagem, or duplicity;
      undesigning; sincere; true.

            Full many fine men go upon my score, as simple as I
            stand here, and I trust them.         --Marston.

            Must thou trust Tradition's simple tongue? --Byron.

            To be simple is to be great.          --Emerson.

   5. Artless in manner; unaffected; unconstrained; natural;
      inartificial;; straightforward.

            In simple manners all the secret lies. --Young.

   6. Direct; clear; intelligible; not abstruse or enigmatical;
      as, a simple statement; simple language.

   7. Weak in intellect; not wise or sagacious; of but moderate
      understanding or attainments; hence, foolish; silly. ``You
      have simple wits.'' --Shak.

            The simple believeth every word; but the prudent man
            looketh well to his going.            --Prov. xiv.
                                                  15.

   8. Not luxurious; without much variety; plain; as, a simple
      diet; a simple way of living.

            Thy simple fare and all thy plain delights.
                                                  --Cowper.

   9. Humble; lowly; undistinguished.

            A simple husbandman in garments gray. --Spenser.

            Clergy and laity, male and female, gentle and simple
            made the fuel of the same fire.       --Fuller.

   10. (BOt.) Without subdivisions; entire; as, a simple stem; a
       simple leaf.

   11. (Chem.) Not capable of being decomposed into anything
       more simple or ultimate by any means at present known;
       elementary; thus, atoms are regarded as simple bodies.
       Cf. {Ultimate}, a.

   Note: A simple body is one that has not as yet been
         decomposed. There are indications that many of our
         simple elements are still compound bodies, though their
         actual decomposition into anything simpler may never be
         accomplished.