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;
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 make one's compliments to,
To stand on compliment,
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 ]
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.
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a. Expressive of regard or praise; of the nature of, or containing, a compliment;
a. Complimentary. [ R. ] Boswell. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. One who compliments; one given to complimenting; a flatterer. [ 1913 Webster ]