n. [ F. compliment. It complimento, fr. comlire to compliment, finish, suit, fr. L. complere to fill up. See Complete, and cf. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Tedious waste of time, to sit and hear
So many hollow compliments and lies. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Many a compliment politely penned. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]

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.

Syn. -- See Adulation. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To praise, flatter, or gratify, by expressions of approbation, respect, or congratulation; to make or pay a compliment to. [ 1913 Webster ]

Monarchs should their inward soul disguise; . . .
Should compliment their foes and shun their friends. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To praise; flatter; adulate; commend. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To pass compliments; to use conventional expressions of respect. [ 1913 Webster ]

I make the interlocutors, upon occasion, compliment with one another. Boyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Complimentary. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Languages . . . grow rich and abundant in complimental phrases, and such froth. Sir H. Wotton.

-- Com`pli*men"tal*ly, adv. [Obs.] Boyle. -- Com`pli*men"tal*ness, n. [ Obs. ] Hammond. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Expressive of regard or praise; of the nature of, or containing, a compliment; as, a complimentary remark; a complimentary ticket. “Complimentary addresses.” Prescott. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Complimentary. [ R. ] Boswell. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who compliments; one given to complimenting; a flatterer. [ 1913 Webster ]