compliment English · revision 15050

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1578|origins=la compleō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: noun UK /ˈkɒm.plɪ.mənt/, US /ˈkɑːm.plə.mənt/; verb UK /ˈkɒm.plɪ.ment/, US /ˈkɑːm.plə.ment/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fr|compliment]], from [[it|complimento|t=expression of respect]], from [[es|cumplimiento]], from [[m|es|cumplir|t=to fulfil, do what is fitting, be courteous]], from [[la|compleō|t=to fill up]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)^(Collins 2023) the notion being that which completes the duties of politeness.^(Etymonline) It was first written complement, after [[m|la|complēmentum|t=that which completes]] (see [[complement]]), and took the French spelling gradually after about 1650.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A ceremonial act or expression of courtesy: 1578, as complement.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Johnson defined it as an act or expression of civility “usually understood to include some hypocrisy, and to mean less than it declares”.^(Etymonline) The sense of praise is hard to separate from the older sense of courtesy.^(Barnhart 1988) Complimentary language is from 1654,^(OED 1989) a gift from 1722,^(OED 1989) and formal greetings, ''compliments'', from 1733.^(OED 1989) The verb is from about 1612,^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) and to show regard by a gift or favour from the 1690s.^(Etymonline) In Scots and Irish dialect a compliment was a present.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1578 – complement, a courtesy.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1612 – to compliment (verb).^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1650 – the spelling compliment.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1654 – praise.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1733 – compliments, greetings.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # An expression of praise, admiration or congratulation.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A formal act of courtesy or respect.^(AHD)

+ # In the plural, greetings or good wishes: ''with the compliments of the author''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To praise or congratulate.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To show regard for someone with a gift or favour.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[complimentable]]

+ * [[complimenter]]

+ * [[complimentingly]]

+ * [[complimentary]]

+ * [[outcompliment]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[complement]]

+ * [[complete]]

+ * [[comply]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Compliment and [[complement]] are doublets, from the same Latin source.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}