| The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000. |
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| compliment |
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| SYLLABICATION: | com·pli·ment |
| PRONUNCIATION: | k m pl -m nt |
| NOUN: | 1. An expression of praise, admiration, or congratulation. 2. A formal act of civility, courtesy, or respect. 3. compliments Good wishes; regards: Extend my compliments to your parents. See Usage Note at complement. | | TRANSITIVE VERB: | Inflected forms: com·pli·ment·ed, com·pli·ment·ing, com·pli·ments 1. To pay a compliment to. 2. To show fondness, regard, or respect for by giving a gift or performing a favor. | | ETYMOLOGY: | French, from Italian complimento, from Spanish cumplimiento, from cumplir, to complete, from Latin compl re, to fill up : com-, intensive pref.; see com + pl re, to fill; see pel -1 in Appendix I.
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| The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by the Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. |
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