complexion

complexion
noun Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin complexion-, complexio, from Latin, combination, from complecti Date: 14th century 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
>
complexional adjectivecomplexioned adjective

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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Synonyms:
, , (of the face) / , ,


Look at other dictionaries:

  • complexion — [ kɔ̃plɛksjɔ̃ ] n. f. • XIIe; lat. complexio → complexe 1 ♦ Littér. Ensemble des éléments constitutifs du corps humain. ⇒ constitution, nature, tempérament. Une complexion délicate, faible; robuste. « La peste détruisait surtout les complexions… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Complexion — Com*plex ion (k[o^]m*pl[e^]k sh[u^]n), n. [F. complexion, fr. L. complexio. See {Complex}, a.] 1. The state of being complex; complexity. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] Though the terms of propositions may be complex, yet . . . it is properly called a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • complexion — COMPLEXION. s. f. Tempérament, constitution du corps. Bonne, mauvaise complexion. Robuste, foible, délicate, forte complexion. Complexion mélancolique. Complexion bilieuse. Complexion triste, gaie, etc. Cela est contraire, nuisible à sa… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie Française 1798

  • complexion — COMPLEXION. s. f. Temperament, constitution du corps. Bonne, mauvaise complexion. robuste, foible, delicate, forte complexion. complexion melancolique. complexion bilieuse &c. cela est contraire, nuisible à sa complexion. il le faut traitter… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • complexion — Complexion, Une complexion bien disposée, AEqualis temperies. La complexion d aucun, Natura et mores alicuius. C est sa complexion, Ita natus est. B. Quand l homme retire à la complexion d une femme, et fait actes de femme plus que d homme,… …   Thresor de la langue françoyse

  • complexión — sustantivo femenino 1. Área: fisiología Constitución física de una persona o animal: un hombre de complexión fuerte, complexión débil, complexión atlética, complexión fina, complexión gruesa …   Diccionario Salamanca de la Lengua Española

  • complexión — ‘Constitución física’: «Impresionaba por su desfachatez, su complexión esmirriada y sus mechas oxigenadas» (Hoy [Chile] 13 19.1.97). Debe evitarse su uso como sinónimo de tez, registrado en algunas zonas de América por calco del inglés complexion …   Diccionario panhispánico de dudas

  • complexion — I noun apparent character, apparent state appearance, aspect, carriage, character, color, contour, demeanor, display, disposition, external appearance, facet, fashion, favor, feature, figure, form, guise, image, impression, look, manifestation,… …   Law dictionary

  • complexion — mid 14c., bodily constitution, from O.Fr. complexion, complession combination of humors, hence temperament, character, make up, from L. complexionem (nom. complexio) combination (in L.L., physical constitution ), from complexus (see COMPLEX (Cf.… …   Etymology dictionary

  • complexion — [n1] skin coloring, appearance cast, color, coloration, coloring, flush, front, glow, hue, looks, mug*, phiz*, pigmentation, skin, skin tone, texture, tinge, tint, tone; concepts 405,622 complexion [n2] someone’s character appearance, aspect,… …   New thesaurus

  • complexion — [kəm plek′shən] n. [ME complexioun < OFr complexion, combination of humors, hence temperament < L complexio, combination < complexus: see COMPLEX] 1. a) Historical the combination of the qualities of cold, heat, dryness, and moisture, or …   English World dictionary

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