Byzantine means related to or connected with the Byzantine Empire.
...Byzantine civilisation.
There are also several well-preserved Byzantine frescoes.
2. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
If you describe a system or process as byzantine, you are criticizing it because it seems complicated or secretive.
[disapproval]
...a byzantine system of rules and trading arrangements.
Byzantine in British English
(bɪˈzænˌtaɪn, -ˌtiːn, baɪ-, ˈbɪzənˌtiːn, -ˌtaɪn)
adjective
1.
of, characteristic of, or relating to Byzantium or the Byzantine Empire
2.
of, relating to, or characterizing the Orthodox Church or its rites and liturgy
3.
of or relating to the highly coloured stylized form of religious art developed in the Byzantine Empire
4.
of or relating to the style of architecture developed in the Byzantine Empire, characterized by massive domes with square bases, rounded arches, spires and minarets, and the extensive use of mosaics
5.
denoting the Medieval Greek spoken in the Byzantine Empire
of Byzantium or the Byzantine Empire, or its people or culture
2.
of or pertaining to the Eastern Orthodox Church
3. [occas.b-]
resembling the government or politics of the Byzantine Empire in structure, spirit, etc.; specif., characterized by complexity, deviousness, intrigue, etc.
4. Architecture
designating or of a style developed in Byzantium and E Europe between the 4th and 15th cent., characterized by domes over square areas, round arches, elaborate mosaics, etc.
5. Art
designating or of the decorative style of the mosaics, frescoes, etc. of the Byzantine Empire, characterized by lack of perspective, use of rich colors, esp. gold, and emphasis on religious symbolism