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complection

[kuh m-plek-shuh n]
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noun
  1. complexion.
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Origin of complection

by misanalysis; see complected

complexion

or com·plec·tion

[kuh m-plek-shuh n]
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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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
Related formscom·plex·ion·al, adjectivecom·plex·ion·al·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for complection

Historical Examples

  • On entering the room, through all the dead white of her present complection, she blushed to a crimson.

    A Simple Story

    Mrs. Inchbald

British Dictionary definitions for complection

complexion

noun
  1. the colour and general appearance of a person's skin, esp of the face
  2. aspect, character, or naturethe 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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Derived Formscomplexional, adjective

Word Origin

C14: from medical Latin complexiō one's bodily characteristics, from Latin: a combination, from complectī to embrace; see complex
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for complection

complexion

n.

mid-14c., "bodily constitution," from Old French complexion, complession "combination of humors," hence "temperament, character, make-up," from Latin complexionem (nominative complexio) "combination" (in Late Latin, "physical constitution"), from complexus (see complex (adj.)). Meaning "appearance of the skin of the face" is first recorded mid-15c. In medieval physiology, the color of the face indicated temperament or health.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
complection in Medicine

complexion

(kəm-plĕk′shən)
n.
  1. The natural color, texture, and appearance of the skin, especially of the face.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.