WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
com′plex i′on, [Chem.]
com•plex•ion (kəm plek′shən),USA pronunciation n.
com•plex′ion•al, adj.
com•plex′ion•al•ly, adv.
- Chemistrya charged complex. Cf. complex (def. 10).
com•plex•ion (kəm plek′shən),USA pronunciation n.
- the natural color, texture, and appearance of the skin, esp. of the face:a clear, smooth, rosy complexion.
- appearance;
aspect;
character:His confession put a different complexion on things. - viewpoint, attitude, or conviction:one's political complexion.
- Physiology(in old physiology) constitution or nature of body and mind, regarded as the result of certain combined qualities.
- [Obs.]nature;
disposition;
temperament.
- Medieval Latin complexiōn- (stem of complexiō) constitution, temperament, Latin: combination, group, literally, the act of embracing. See complex, -ion
- Middle English 1300–50
com•plex′ion•al•ly, adv.