complexion

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a point of view or general attitude or inclination

   They altered the complexion of their times.

2. 2
   noun

   a combination that results from coupling or interlinking

   diphthongs are complexions of vowels

3. 3
   verb

   to give a certain color to

   The setting sun complexioned the hills

4. 4
   noun

   The quality, colour, or appearance of the skin on the face.

   a rugged complexion

5. 5
   noun

   The outward appearance of something.

   It was a little unfortunate that the fib unfibbed gave their consultations something the complexion of that close understanding which exists between penitent and confessor.

6. 6
   noun

   Outlook, attitude, or point of view.

   That minister was galbet, or admiral of the realm, very much in his master’s confidence, and a person well versed in affairs, but of a morose and sour complexion.

7. 7
   noun

   The combination of humours making up one's physiological "temperament", being either hot or cold, and moist or dry.

   Ne ever is he wont on ought to feed / But todes and frogs, his pasture poysonous, / Which in his cold complexion doe breed / A filthy blood […]

8. 8
   noun

   An arrangement.

   1909, Ludwig Boltzmann, translated by Kim Sharp and Franz Matschinsky Second there is the level at which the energy or velocity components of each molecule are specified. He calls this a Komplexion, which we translate literally as complexion.

Etymology

From Middle English complexion (“temperament”), from Old French complexion (French complexion), from Medieval Latin complexiō (“complexion, constitution”), from complector, past participle complexus (“to entwine, encompass”).