complexion

Or com·plec·tion

[kuhm-plek-shuhn]

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.

complexion

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• complexional adjective
• complexionally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of complexion¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of complexion¹

C14: from medical Latin complexiō one's bodily characteristics, from Latin: a combination, from complectī to embrace; see _complex

Example Sentences

“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.

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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.”

Read more on 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".

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

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And when the Scotts overhear Elizabeth yell at the family’s nanny for letting her grandchildren play outside without parasols, that reveals her disdain for dark complexions.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• character 
• nature