compliment

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to say something to someone that expresses praise

   The professor complimented the grad student on their last physics paper.

2. 2
   noun

   An expression of praise, congratulation, or respect.

   pay someone a compliment

3. 3
   noun

   Complimentary language; courtesy, flattery.

   He told the Captain, He was heartily sorry for his Misfortunes; tho’ in my Opinion that was nothing but a Compliment: For, as I found afterwards, he was more brutish, and dishonest, than most of the other Kings on the Island […]

4. 4
   verb

   To pay a compliment (to someone); to express a favourable opinion (of someone).

   […] She transferr'd the curs'd Advice, / That Monarchs ſhould their inward Soul diſguise, / Diſſemble, and command; be falſe, and wiſe; / By ignominous Arts for ſervile Ends / Should compliment their Foes, and ſhun their Friends.

5. 5
   noun

   a remark (or act) expressing praise and admiration

6. 6
   verb

   to express respect or esteem for

7. 7
   noun

   Misspelling of complement.

8. 8
   verb

   Misspelling of complement.

Etymology

Borrowed from French compliment, itself a borrowing of Italian complimento, which in turn is a borrowing from Spanish cumplimiento, from cumplir (“to comply, complete, do what is proper”) + -miento or Latin complēmentum. Doublet of complement. Displaced Old English ġeswǣsnes.