I. noun
also com·plec·tion kəmˈplekshən
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English complexioun temperament, humor, combination of the humors, bodily constitution, from Middle French complexion, from Medieval Latin complexion-, complexio, from Latin, combination, connection, complication, from complexus (past part of complecti ) + -ion-, -io -ion
1.
a. obsolete : a humor (sense 1b(1)) or combination of humors
b. in medieval physiology and natural philosophy : the combination in a certain proportion of the hot, cold, moist, and dry qualities that determine the nature or quality of a body or plant
2.
a. obsolete : bodily constitution or mental makeup
if his complexion incline him to melancholy — John Milton
b. : a cast of mind : an individual complex of attitudes, inclinations, or ways of thinking or feeling
being of more sensitive complexion of mind than myself they were made ill by the suspense — J.H.Newman
c. : a complex of attitudes, inclinations, orientations, or ways of thought
all the armed partisan groups … of whatever political complexion immediately joined in the fighting — Atlantic
3.
a. : the hue or appearance of the skin especially of the face
a fair complexion
b. : the skin of the face
creams for complexion cleaning
4. : the appearance or impression of a person or thing
weathering has changed the complexion of the town hall from bright newness to solid conformity with neighboring structures
the warlike complexion of the news
5.
[Latin complexion-, complexio ]
archaic : combination , aggregate
Synonyms: see disposition
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English complexiounen to compose, from complexioun, n.
: to give a color or particular slant to : tinge
the early sun complexioning the mountains
propaganda complexioned his views