Etymograph

English

complexion

Complexion comes from Latin complexiō ‘combination, connection, association’, from complector ‘to embrace or hug’, and ultimately from plectō.

  1. Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEplectō
  2. Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CEcomplector‘to embrace or hug’
  3. Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CEcomplexiō‘combination, connection, association’
  4. Old Frenchc. 842–1400complexion
  5. Middle Englishc. 1150–1500same form‘temperament’
  6. Englishearliest quotation 1590same form

attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed

Earlier history not traced here.

Lineage

  1. Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEplectō
  2. Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CEcomplector‘to embrace or hug’
  3. Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CEcomplexiō‘combination, connection, association’
  4. Old Frenchc. 842–1400complexion
  5. Middle Englishc. 1150–1500same form‘temperament’
  6. Englishearliest quotation 1590same form

Earliest quotation: 1590, Edmund Spenser, Book III, Canto X: “Ne ever is he wont on ought to feed…”

Linked words

through Latin plectō

plexus, plait, 8 more

Today it means

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

Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.

Etymograph / Latin plectō / complexion

Shirt and support for this word