complexion
/kəmˈplɛkʃən/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 3.29 in modern English
23
Scrabble Score
10
Letters
3
Syllables
9
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
The quality, colour, or appearance of the skin on the face.
noun
The outward appearance of something.
noun
Outlook, attitude, or point of view.
noun
The combination of humours making up one's physiological "temperament", being either hot or cold, and moist or dry.
Obsolete
noun
An arrangement.
Example Sentences
- "a rugged complexion"
- "a sunburnt complexion"
- "Prince of Morocco: Mislike me not for my complexion, / The shadow’d livery of the burnish’d sun, / To whom I am a neighbour, and near bred. […]"
- ""I shall do nothing for the next week but study my costume and complexion," said she. "Ethel and myself will consider our conquests as proper compliments to your kindness.""
- "The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the taking it away from those who have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses than ourselves, is not a pretty thing when you look into it too much."
- "“Yes, Mr. Holmes, I teach music.” “In the country, I presume, from your complexion.” “Yes, sir, near Farnham, on the borders of Surrey.”"
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”).
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: *pleḱ-, complexion, complexiō
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /kəmˈplɛkʃən/