complected

American  

[kuhm-plek-tid] / kəmˈplɛk tɪd /

adjective

1. complexioned (usually used in combination).

   a light-complected boy.

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complected British  

/ kəmˈplɛktɪd /

adjective

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

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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.

Etymology

Origin of complected

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.

From Scientific American

“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.

From 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.

From Seattle Times

And stay away from complected; the preferred adjective is complexioned.

From Literature

This core theme of youth mobilization campaigns has persisted, election after election, regardless of who’s running for office, and even as new and differently complected cohorts aged into and out of the “youth” demographic.

From Washington Post