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complement

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com⋅ple⋅ment

  [n. kom-pluh-muhnt; v. kom-pluh-ment]
Use complement in a Sentence
–noun
1. something that completes or makes perfect: A good wine is a complement to a good meal.
2. the quantity or amount that completes anything: We now have a full complement of packers.
3. either of two parts or things needed to complete the whole; counterpart.
4. full quantity or amount; complete allowance.
5. the full number of officers and crew required on a ship.
6. Grammar.
a. a word or group of words that completes a grammatical construction in the predicate and that describes or is identified with the subject or object, as small in The house is small or president in They elected her president. Compare object complement, subject complement.
b. any word or group of words used to complete a grammatical construction, esp. in the predicate, including adverbials, as on the table in He put it on the table, infinitives, as to go in They are ready to go, and sometimes objects, as ball in He caught the ball.
7. Geometry. the quantity by which an angle or an arc falls short of 90° or a quarter of a circle. Compare supplement (def. 4).
8. Also called absolute complement. Mathematics. the set of all the elements of a universal set not included in a given set.
9. Music. the interval that completes an octave when added to a given interval.
10. Immunology.
a. a system in vertebrate blood of 12 or more proteins that react in a cascade to a cell displaying immune complexes or foreign surfaces, acting in various combinations to coat the cell and promote phagocytosis, make holes in the cell wall, or enhance the inflammatory response.
b. any of the proteins in the complement system, designated C1, C2, etc.
11. complementary color.
–verb (used with object)
12. to complete; form a complement to: This belt complements the dress better than that one.
13. Obsolete. to compliment.
–verb (used without object)
14. Obsolete. to compliment.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME < L complēmentum something that completes, equiv. to complē(re) to fill up (see complete ) + -mentum -ment

Related forms:
com⋅ple⋅ment⋅er, noun

Synonyms:
12. Complement, supplement both mean to make additions to something. To complement is to provide something felt to be lacking or needed; it is often applied to putting together two things, each of which supplies what is lacking in the other, to make a complete whole: Two statements from different points of view may complement each other. To supplement is merely to add to: Some additional remarks may supplement his address.

Usage note:
Complement and compliment, which are pronounced alike and originally shared some meanings, have become separate words with entirely different meanings. As a noun, complement means “something that completes or makes perfect”: The rare old brandy was a perfect complement to the delicious meal. As a verb, complement means “to complete”: A bright scarf complements a dark suit. The noun compliment means “an expression of praise, commendation, or admiration”: The members paid her the compliment of a standing ovation. The verb compliment means “to pay a compliment to”: Everyone complimented him after the recital.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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com·ple·ment   (kŏm'plə-mənt)   
n.  

    1. Something that completes, makes up a whole, or brings to perfection.

    2. The quantity or number needed to make up a whole: shelves with a full complement of books.

    3. Either of two parts that complete the whole or mutually complete each other.

  2. An angle related to another so that the sum of their measures is 90°.

  3. Grammar A word or words used to complete a predicate construction, especially the object or indirect object of a verb; for example, the phrase to eat ice cream in We like to eat ice cream.

  4. Music An interval that completes an octave when added to a given interval.

  5. The full crew of officers and enlisted personnel required to run a ship.

  6. Immunology A complex system of proteins found in normal blood plasma that combines with antibodies to destroy pathogenic bacteria and other foreign cells. Also called alexin.

  7. Mathematics & Logic For a universal set, the set of all elements in the set that are not in a specified subset.

  8. A complementary color.

tr.v.   (-měnt') com·ple·ment·ed, com·ple·ment·ing, com·ple·ments
To serve as a complement to: Roses in a silver bowl complement the handsome cherry table.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin complēmentum, from complēre, to fill out; see complete.]
Usage Note: Complement and compliment, though quite distinct in meaning, are sometimes confused because they are pronounced the same. As a noun, complement means "something that completes or brings to perfection" (The antique silver was a complement to the beautifully set table); used as a verb it means "to serve as a complement to." The noun compliment means "an expression or act of courtesy or praise" (They gave us a compliment on our beautifully set table), while the verb means "to pay a compliment to."
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

complement 
1419, "that which completes," from O.Fr. complement, from L. complementum "that which fills up or completes," from complere "fill up" (see complete). Originally also having senses which were taken up c.1655-1725 by compliment (q.v.).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: com·ple·ment
Pronunciation: 'käm-pl&-m&nt
Function: noun
1 : a group or set (as of chromosomes or DNA) that istypical of the complete organism or one of its parts —see CHROMOSOME COMPLEMENT
2 : acomplementary color
3 : the thermolabile group of proteins in normal blood serum and plasma that in combination with antibodies causes the destruction especially of particulateantigens (as bacteria and foreign blood corpuscles)
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

complement com·ple·ment (kŏm'plə-mənt)
n.
A group of proteins found in normal blood serum and plasma that are activated sequentially in a cascadelike mechanism that allows them to combine with antibodies and destroy pathogenic bacteria and other foreign cells.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Science Dictionary
complement   (kŏm'plə-mənt)  Pronunciation Key 

  1. A group of proteins in blood serum that interact systematically as part of the body's immune response to destroy disease-causing antigens, especially bacteria. Complement proteins interact with antibodies and other chemical substances to cause the disintegration of foreign cells and enhance other immune functions such as phagocytosis.

  2. A complementary color.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Computing Dictionary

complement logic
The other value or values in the set of possible values.
See logical complement, bitwise complement, set complement.
(1995-01-24)

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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