Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun An expression of praise, admiration, or congratulation.
  • noun A formal act of civility, courtesy, or respect.
  • noun Good wishes; regards.
  • transitive verb To pay a compliment to.
  • transitive verb To show fondness, regard, or respect for by giving a gift or performing a favor.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • To pay a compliment to; flatter or gratify by expressions of approbation, admiration, esteem, or respect, or by acts implying these feelings: as, to compliment a man on his personal appearance.
  • To give complimentary congratulations to; felicitate: as, to compliment a prince on the birth of a son.
  • To manifest kindness or regard for by a gift or other favor: as, he complimented us with tickets for the exhibition.
  • To pass compliments; use ceremony or ceremonious language.
  • noun A formal act or expression of civility, respect, or regard: as, the compliments of the season; to present one's compliments.
  • noun An expression of praise, commendation, or admiration: as, he paid you a high compliment within my hearing.
  • noun Flattery; polite, especially insincere, praise or commendation.
  • noun A present or favor bestowed; a gift.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • transitive verb To praise, flatter, or gratify, by expressions of approbation, respect, or congratulation; to make or pay a compliment to.
  • intransitive verb To pass compliments; to use conventional expressions of respect.
  • noun An expression, by word or act, of approbation, regard, confidence, civility, or admiration; a flattering speech or attention; a ceremonious greeting.
  • noun to show one respect; to praise one in a flattering way.
  • noun to offer formal courtesies to.
  • noun to treat with ceremony.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun An expression of praise, congratulation, encouragement, or respect.
  • noun uncountable Complimentary language; courtesy, flattery.
  • noun Common misspelling of complement.
  • verb intransitive To pay a compliment; to express a favorable opinion.
  • verb Common misspelling of complement.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • verb say something to someone that expresses praise
  • noun a remark (or act) expressing praise and admiration
  • verb express respect or esteem for

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[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- in Indo-European roots.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From French, from Italian complimento, from Vulgar Latin complire, from Latin complere

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From French, from Italian complimento Spanish cumplimiento, from cumplir, from Vulgar Latin complire, from Latin complere.

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