In a manner relating to complexion or constitutional nature.
From 'complexional' plus adverbial '-ly'. Evolved as medical and philosophical vocabularies expanded in the Renaissance.
This adverb would have been more common in Shakespeare's time when people literally argued about whether someone's pale complexion meant they were melancholic or lovesick!
Inherits bias from "complexional" — historical linking of appearance to character, used to justify both sexism and racism.
Avoid. If discussing appearance variation, use "in terms of appearance" or name the specific feature (skin tone, texture) without adverbial implication of essence.
["in appearance terms","regarding skin tone"]
Womanist and Black feminist scholarship (Audre Lorde, bell hooks) reclaimed beauty and embodiment from colonial/patriarchal definitions.
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