Etymologically
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compliment

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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /kɔ̃.pli.mɑ̃/[1]

Forms

compliment m (plural compliments)[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Italian complimento (“act or expression of homage”) (1578–1594, Tasso),[2][3][1][4][5] itself from Spanish cumplimiento, “abundance” in the 13th century and “compliment” in the 16th,[2][3][1] derived from cumplir (“to fulfil”), from Latin compleō (“to fill up”), the source of accomplir.[2][3][6] The Spanish sense comes from “cumplir con alguien” “to perform the required courtesies towards someone”.[3][7][8] Bloch and Wartburg, the Grand Robert and the GLLF take the French word straight from Spanish; a “complimento” of 1566 is an adaptation of the Spanish word.[7][8][6][2]

It is a doublet of complément.[1][9]

Earliest recorded meaning

In a letter of Cardinal Du Perron written from Rome (1604) a compliment is a courtesy visit paid to an official personage.[2][3]

Semantic evolution

From the act, the word passed to the words: praise addressed to someone (Régnier, 1608).[2][3] It was much used in the polite society of the classical period and the 19th century, for formal speeches to persons of rank, messages of congratulation or condolence and the little speech a child recites for a family feast.[3][9][6] With the simplifying of manners it has lost weight, as the ironic débiter son compliment shows[3][10]; mes compliments ! “congratulations!” is often ironic too.[3][10]

Complimenter was presented as a new word in 1634, and complimenteur is from 1622–1623.[3][7]

Timeline

  • 1566 – Complimento “courtesy visit”, from Spanish.[2]
  • 1578–1594 – Italian complimento (Tasso).[2][3]
  • 1604 – A courtesy visit (Du Perron).[2][3]
  • 1608 – Words of praise (Régnier).[2][6]
  • 1622 – Complimenteur.[7]
  • 1634 – Complimenter.[7][3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. A compliment, words of praise: faire des compliments à quelqu'un.[10][11]
  2. Mes compliments !: congratulations! (often ironic).[10]
  3. A formula of courtesy: faites mes compliments à votre mère.[10][11]
  4. A short speech of good wishes, as one recited by a child.[11][9]

Word family

  • complimenter
  • complimenteur

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Trésor de la langue française informatisé (2004), ATILF – CNRS & Université de Lorraine, atilf.fr/tlfi; electronic version of Imbs, Paul; Quemada, Bernard, eds. (1971–1994), Trésor de la langue française, Paris: CNRS / Gallimard
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  4. ^ Académie française (1992–2024), Dictionnaire de l'Académie française, 9th ed., Paris: Académie française / Fayard / Imprimerie nationale
  5. ^ Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 2, 981a
  6. ^ a b c d Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
  7. ^ a b c d e Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
  8. ^ a b Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
  9. ^ a b c Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
  10. ^ a b c d e Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  11. ^ a b c Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)