complexion

com·plex·ion

noun \kəm-ˈplek-shən\

Definition of COMPLEXION

1

: the combination of the hot, cold, moist, and dry qualities held in medieval physiology to determine the quality of a body

2

a : an individual complex of ways of thinking or feeling b : a complex of attitudes and inclinations

3

: the hue or appearance of the skin and especially of the face <a dark complexion>

4

: overall aspect or character <by changing the complexion of the legislative branch — Trevor Armbrister>

— com·plex·ion·al \-shnəl, -shə-n^əl\ adjective

— com·plex·ioned \-shənd\ adjective

Examples of COMPLEXION

1. She has a dark complexion.
2. All of the children had healthy complexions.
3. The complexion of the neighborhood has changed over the years.

Origin of COMPLEXION

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin complexion-, complexio, from Latin, combination, from complecti

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to COMPLEXION

Synonyms: color, coloring

Related Words: shade, tint, tone; features, lineaments, looks; countenance, face, visage

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with COMPLEXION

abjection, advection, affection, bisection, collection, confection, connection, convection, correction, cross section, C-section, defection, deflection, dejection, detection, direction, ejection, election, erection, infection, inflection, injection, inspection, midsection, objection, perfection, prelection, projection, protection, refection, reflection, rejection, resection, selection, subjection, subsection, trajection, transection, trisection