complimentable








noun

  1. an expression of praise, commendation, or admiration: A sincere compliment boosts one’s morale.
  2. a formal act or expression of civility, respect, or regard: The mayor paid him the compliment of escorting him.
  3. compliments, a courteous greeting; good wishes; regards: He sends you his compliments.
  4. Archaic. a gift; present.

verb (used with object)

  1. to pay a compliment to: She complimented the child on his good behavior.
  2. to show kindness or regard for by a gift or other favor: He complimented us by giving a party in our honor.
  3. to congratulate; felicitate: to compliment a prince on the birth of a son.

verb (used without object)

  1. to pay compliments.

noun (ˈkɒmplɪmənt)

  1. a remark or act expressing respect, admiration, etc
  2. (usually plural) a greeting of respect or regard

verb (ˈkɒmplɪˌmɛnt) (tr)

  1. to express admiration of; congratulate or commend
  2. to express or show respect or regard for, esp by a gift
n.

“An act, or expression of civility, usually understood to include some hypocrisy, and to mean less than it declares” [Johnson], 1570s, complement, via French compliment (17c.), from Italian complimento “expression of respect and civility,” from Vulgar Latin *complire, for Latin complere “to complete” (see complete (adj.)), via notion of “complete the obligations of politeness.” Same word as complement but by a different etymological route; differentiated by spelling after 1650.

v.

1610s, from French complimenter, from compliment (see compliment (n.)). Related: Complimented; complimenting.

see left-handed compliment; pay a compliment; return the compliment.

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