complexion

or com·plec·tion

[ kuh m-plek-shuh n ]
/ kəmˈplɛk ʃən /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR complexion ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the natural color, texture, and appearance of the skin, especially of the face: a clear, smooth, rosy complexion.
appearance; aspect; character: His confession put a different complexion on things.
viewpoint, attitude, or conviction: one's political complexion.
(in old physiology) constitution or nature of body and mind, regarded as the result of certain combined qualities.
Obsolete. nature; disposition; temperament.

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

OTHER WORDS FROM complexion

com·plex·ion·al, adjective com·plex·ion·al·ly, adverb

Words nearby complexion

complex salt, complex sentence, complex variable, complex wave, complexing agent, complexion, complexioned, complexionless, complexity, complexity theory, complexometric titration

Words related to complexion

hue, tint, texture, coloring, skin, tinge, countenance, disposition, temperament, tone, color, cast, mug, flush, front, glow, pigmentation, phiz, coloration, sort

Example sentences from the Web for complexion

British Dictionary definitions for complexion

complexion
/ (kəmˈplɛkʃən) /

noun

the colour and general appearance of a person's skin, esp of the face
aspect, character, or nature the general complexion of a nation's finances
obsolete
  1. the temperament of a person
  2. the temperature and general appearance of the body

Derived forms of complexion

complexional, adjective

Word Origin for complexion

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

Medical definitions for complexion

complexion
[ kəm-plĕk′shən ]

n.

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