complexion Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the coloring of a person's face
    skin colour; skin color.
  2. noun a combination that results from coupling or interlinking
    • diphthongs are complexions of vowels
  3. noun a point of view or general attitude or inclination
    • he altered the complexion of his times
    • a liberal political complexion
  4. noun texture and appearance of the skin of the face
  5. noun (obsolete) a combination of elements (of dryness and warmth or of the four humors) that was once believed to determine a person's health and temperament
  6. verb give a certain color to
    • The setting sun complexioned the hills

WordNet

Com*plex"ion noun
Etymology
F. complexion, fr. L. complexio. See Complex, a.
Definitions
  1. The state of being complex; complexity. Obs.
    Though the terms of propositions may be complex, yet . . . it is proprly called a simple syllogism, since the complexion does not belong to the syllogistic form of it. I. Watts.
  2. A combination; a complex. Archaic
    This paragraph is . . . a complexion of sophisms. Coleridge.
  3. The bodily constitution; the temperament; habitude, or natural disposition; character; nature. Obs.
    If his complexion incline him to melancholy. Milton.
    It is the complexion of them all to leave the dam. Shak.
  4. The color or hue of the skin, esp. of the face.
    Tall was her stature, her complexion dark. Wordswoorth.
    Between the pale complexion of true love, And the red glow of scron and proud disdain. Shak.
  5. The general appearance or aspect; as, the complexion of the sky; the complexion of the news.

Webster 1913