Compliment
Compliment , noun
[French compliment. It complimento, from comlire to compliment, finish, suit, from Latin complere to fill up. See Complete, and compare Complement.]
An expression, by word or act, of approbation, regard, confidence, civility, or admiration; a flattering speech or attention; a ceremonious greeting; as, to send one's compliments to a friend.
Tedious waste of time, to sit and hear
So many hollow compliments and lies.
Many a compliment politely penned.
Collocations (3)
To make one a compliment , to show one respect; to praise one in a flattering way. — Locke
To make one's compliments to , to offer formal courtesies to.
To stand on compliment , to treat with ceremony.
Compliment , transitive verb
To praise, flatter, or gratify, by expressions of approbation, respect, or congratulation; to make or pay a compliment to.
Monarchs should their inward soul disguise;...
Should compliment their foes and shun their friends.
Compliment , intransitive verb
To pass compliments; to use conventional expressions of respect.
I make the interlocutors, upon occasion, compliment with one another.