complexion

American  

[kuhm-plek-shuhn] / kəmˈplɛk ʃən /

Or complection

noun

1. the natural color, texture, and appearance of the skin, especially of the face.

   a clear, smooth, rosy complexion.

2. appearance; aspect; character.

   His confession put a different complexion on things.

3. viewpoint, attitude, or conviction.

   one's political complexion.

4. (in old physiology) constitution or nature of body and mind, regarded as the result of certain combined qualities.

5. Obsolete.  nature; disposition; temperament.

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complexion British  

/ kəmˈplɛkʃən /

noun

1. the colour and general appearance of a person's skin, esp of the face

2. aspect, character, or nature

   the general complexion of a nation's finances

3. obsolete

   1. the temperament of a person

   2. the temperature and general appearance of the body

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Other Word Forms

• complexional adjective
• complexionally adverb

Etymology

Origin of complexion

1300–50; Middle English < Medieval Latin complexiōn- (stem of complexiō ) constitution, temperament, Latin: combination, group, literally, the act of embracing. See complex, -ion

Example Sentences

His two drop-goals, deflating New Zealand's lead just before half-time, changed the complexion of the contest.

From BBC

“Again, this has not happened yet, but it’s a scenario we need to stay alert to, as a confirmed breakdown would clearly shift the market’s complexion in a meaningful way,” Cappelleri wrote.

From MarketWatch

Dock’s 1894 certificate, signed by a collector of internal revenue in Portland, Ore., lists his occupation as a cook, and his complexion as “dark.”

From Los Angeles Times

The BBC has in the past reported incidents of suicides by women who were taunted by their husbands over their "dark complexion".

From BBC

His dark complexion, rustic drawl and streetwise swagger became integral to his cinematic identity.

From BBC

Related Words

• character
• nature