complexions

Noun

complexion (plural complexions)

1. The quality, colour, or appearance of the skin on the face.
   • a rugged complexion
2. (figuratively) 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.1910, Bernard Capes, Why Did He Do It?, page 207
3. 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.1726 October 28, [Jonathan Swift], Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. […] [Gulliver’s Travels], volume I, London: […] Benj[amin] Motte, […], →OCLC, part I (A Voyage to Lilliput)
4. (obsolete) 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 […]1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book III, Canto X”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC
5. (especially, loanword) An arrangement.
   • 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.1909, Ludwig Boltzmann, translated by Kim Sharp and Franz Matschinsky

See all 6 meanings of complexion