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compliment

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com⋅pli⋅ment

  [n. kom-pluh-muhnt; v. kom-pluh-ment]
Use compliment in a Sentence
–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

Related forms:
com⋅pli⋅ment⋅a⋅ble, adjective
com⋅pli⋅ment⋅er, noun
com⋅pli⋅ment⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. kudos, tribute, eulogy, panegyric. 5. commend, praise, honor.

Antonyms:
1. disparagement.

Usage note:
See complement.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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com·pli·ment   (kŏm'plə-mənt)   
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 © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

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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Idioms & Phrases

compliment

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

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