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Compliment - 8 dictionary results
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com⋅pli⋅ment

   [n. kom-pluh-muhnt; v. kom-pluh-ment]
–noun
1. an expression of praise, commendation, or admiration: A sincere compliment boosts one's morale.
2. a formal act or expression of civility, respect, or regard: The mayor paid him the compliment of escorting him.
3. compliments, a courteous greeting; good wishes; regards: He sends you his compliments.
4. Archaic. a gift; present.
–verb (used with object)
5. to pay a compliment to: She complimented the child on his good behavior.
6. to show kindness or regard for by a gift or other favor: He complimented us by giving a party in our honor.
7. to congratulate; felicitate: to compliment a prince on the birth of a son.
–verb (used without object)
8. to pay compliments.
Origin:
1570–80; < F < It complimento < Sp cumplimiento, equiv. to cumpli- (see comply ) + -miento -ment; earlier identical in sp. with complement
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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Language Translation for : Compliment
Spanish: cumplido, halago, German: das Kompliment, Japanese: 賛辞
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com·pli·ment     (kŏm'plə-mənt)  Pronunciation Key 
n.  
  1. An expression of praise, admiration, or congratulation.
  2. A formal act of civility, courtesy, or respect.
  3. compliments Good wishes; regards: Extend my compliments to your parents. See Usage Note at complement.
tr.v.   com·pli·ment·ed, com·pli·ment·ing, com·pli·ments
  1. To pay a compliment to.
  2. To show fondness, regard, or respect for by giving a gift or performing a favor.

[French, from Italian complimento, from Spanish cumplimiento, from cumplir, to complete, from Latin complēre, to fill up : com-, intensive pref.; see com- + plēre, to fill; see pelə-1 in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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compliment 
1578, via Fr., from It. complimento "expression of respect and civility," from V.L. *complire, for L. complere "to complete," via notion of "complete the obligations of politeness." Same word as complement but by a different etymological route; differentiated by spelling after 1650. Complimentary (1716) was originally complementary "ceremonious" (1628), and properly belongs to complement.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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compliment

noun
1. a remark (or act) expressing praise and admiration 

verb
1. say something to someone that expresses praise; "He complimented her on her last physics paper" 
2. express respect or esteem for 

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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compliment

see left-handed compliment; pay a compliment; return the compliment.


The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Compliment

Com"pli*ment\, n. [F. compliment. It complimento, fr. comlire to compliment, finish, suit, fr. L. complere to fill up. See Complete, and cf. Complement.] An expression, by word or act, of approbation, regard, confidence, civility, or admiration; a flattering speech or attention; a ceremonious greeting; as, to send one's compliments to a friend.

Tedious waste of time, to sit and hear So many hollow compliments and lies. --Milton.

Many a compliment politely penned. --Cowper.

To make one a compliment, to show one respect; to praise one in a flattering way. --Locke.

To make one's compliments to, to offer formal courtesies to.

To stand on compliment, to treat with ceremony.

Syn: See Adulation.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.

Compliment

Com"pli*ment\, v. t. To praise, flatter, or gratify, by expressions of approbation, respect, or congratulation; to make or pay a compliment to.

Monarchs should their inward soul disguise; . . . Should compliment their foes and shun their friends. --Prior.

Syn: To praise; flatter; adulate; commend.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.

Compliment

Com"pli*ment\, v. i. To pass compliments; to use conventional expressions of respect.

I make the interlocutors, upon occasion, compliment with one another. --Boyle.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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