Compliment | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Cŏm'pli-ment, n.

noun

n. [Fr. compliment, from O. Fr. & Pr. complier, to fulfill, perform, a duty, civility, from Lat. complēre; It. complimento, Sp. cumplimiento. See COMPLETE, v. t.] A manifestation, by word or act, of approbation, regard, or admiration; delicate flattery; as, to send one's compliments to a friend. Tedious waste of time to sit and hear So many hollow compliments. Milton. To stand on compliment, to treat with ceremony. Syn.—See ADULATION.

Cŏm'pli-ment, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. To praise, flatter, or gratify, by expressions of approbation, respect, or congratulation. Monarchs should their inward soul disguise; . . . By ignominious arts, for servile ends, Should compliment their foes and shun their friends. Prior. Syn. — To praise; flatter; adulate.

Cŏm'pli-ment, v. i.

verbintransitive

v. i. To pass compliments; to use conventional expressions of respect.

I make the interlocutors, upon occasion, compliment with one another. Boyle.