complected

[kuhm-plek-tid]

adjective

1. complexioned (usually used in combination).

   a light-complected boy.

complected

/ kəmˈplɛktɪd /

adjective

1. (in combination) a US dialect word for complexioned

Usage

Complected, a back formation from complexion, is an Americanism dating from the early 19th century. Although it has been criticized by some as a dialectal or nonstandard substitution for complexioned, it occurs in the speech of educated persons and occasionally in edited writing.

Word History and Origins

Origin of complected¹

1800–10, complect- (back formation from complexion, presumably taken as *complection ) + -ed ³

Example Sentences

The woman in the sepia toned photo from the 1890s appears dark complected.

Read more on Scientific American

“I don’t know many Black folks or other people of color, particularly those that are darker complected, that have any faith in the court system.”

Read more on Seattle Times

"My great-grandfather married a Swedish girl, you know? So the family has light-colored blood, and that Sandi got it all. But imagine, spirit of contradiction, she wanted to be darker complected like her sisters."

Read more on Literature

“Dad was dark complected and, because he grew up in San Antonio and went to Alamo Heights High School, he spoke Spanish fluently,” said his son.

Read more on Washington Times

Police describe the man as wearing a black baseball hat pulled down to his eyebrows, a black shirt and as having a “light complected” skin tone.

Read more on Seattle Times