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complexional

 - 5 dictionary results

com⋅plex⋅ion

  [kuhm-plek-shuhn]
Use complexional in a Sentence
–noun
1. the natural color, texture, and appearance of the skin, esp. of the face: a clear, smooth, rosy complexion.
2. appearance; aspect; character: His confession put a different complexion on things.
3. viewpoint, attitude, or conviction: one's political complexion.
4. (in old physiology) constitution or nature of body and mind, regarded as the result of certain combined qualities.
5. Obsolete. nature; disposition; temperament.
Also, complection.

Origin:
1300–50; ME < ML complexiōn- (s. of complexiō) constitution, temperament, L: combination, group, lit., the act of embracing. See complex, -ion

Related forms:
com⋅plex⋅ion⋅al, adjective
com⋅plex⋅ion⋅al⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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com·plex·ion   (kəm-plěk'shən)   
n.  

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

  2. General character, aspect, or appearance: findings that will alter the complexion of the problem.

  3. A viewpoint, inclination, or attitude: a conservative political complexion.

  4. The combination of the four humors of cold, heat, moistness, and dryness in specific proportions, thought in ancient and medieval physiology to control the temperament and the constitution of the body.


[Middle English complexioun, physical constitution, from Old French complexion, from Late Latin complexiō, complexiōn-, balance of the humors, from Latin, combination, from complexus, past participle of complectī, to entwine; see complect.]
com·plex'ion·al adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

complexion 
1340, from O.Fr. complexion, "combination of humors," hence "temperament," from L. complexionem (nom. complexio) "combination," from complexus (see complex). Meaning "appearance of the skin of the face" is first recorded c.1450. In medieval physiology, the color of the face indicated temperament.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: com·plex·ion
Pronunciation: k&m-'plek-sh&n
Function: noun
1 : the combination of the hot, cold, moist, and dryqualities held in medieval physiology to determine the quality of a body
2 : the hue or appearance of the skin and especially of the face complexion> —com·plex·ioned /-sh&nd/ adjective
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

complexion com·plex·ion (kəm-plěk'shən)
n.
The natural color, texture, and appearance of the skin, especially of the face.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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