complementn.
/ˈkɒmplɪmənt/ I. Senses still written complement.† 1. The action of fulfilling or completing; completion, fulfilment, accomplishment. Obsolete.† 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > completing > [noun]
enda1300
chevisancec1330
applyinga1382
perfectiona1382
pointc1385
finishmentc1400
accomplishingc1405
complement1419
consummationa1425
effecta1425
performinga1425
accomplishment1425
fining?1448
complishing1449
complishment1454
achevisauncec1475
achievement1477
perfectinga1513
cheving?1518
furniture1529
achievance1531
exploiture1531
exploiting1538
perimplishment1554
consummating1555
finishing?1563
chevance1570
coronation1582
crowning1586
adimpletion1624
fulfilment1624
complusmenta1628
completure1642
completement1652
transaction1655
patration1656
perfunction1656
completion1657
completing1727
ultimation1791
finality1833
perfectuation1859
fruition1885
1419 R. Holme in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. ii. 20 I. 65 To the complement of ȝoure said charge..we have doon owre entier peyne.
1591 E. Spenser Prosopopoia in Complaints 338 For a full complement of all their ill, They stole away.
1621 H. Ainsworth Annot. First Bk. Moses, called Genesis (new ed.) xviii. 10 By the complement of the thing promised.
1721 J. Strype Eccl. Memorials II. i. x. 78 Sums of money..in complement of the deceased king's will.
a. The fact or condition of being complete; completeness, fullness. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > completeness > [noun]
wholeheadc1450
absoluteness1551
completeness1628
complement1643
impartialitya1716
completion1752
roundness1756
roundedness1849
completedness1862
1643 Sir T. Browne Religio Medici (authorized ed.) i. §39 Not in complement and perfection. View more context for this quotation
a1676 M. Hale Primitive Originat. Mankind (1677) 1 The Sensible Nature in its complement and integrity hath..five exterior Senses.
b. Heraldry. Fullness (of the moon).
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > indication > insignia > heraldic devices collective > representations of heavenly bodies or phenomena > [noun] > the moon in its various forms
crescent1486
increscent1572
complement1610
decrement1610
increment1610
decrescent1616
plenitude1863
1610 J. Guillim Display of Heraldrie iii. iii. 91 Diuers denominations [of Moon] in Heraldrie; as her Increment..her Complement, when she is at Full; her Decrement.
1766 ‘M. A. Porny’ Elem. Heraldry (1787) 142 A Moon in her complement Or, illustrated with all her light proper.
1866 J. E. Cussans Gram. Heraldry 35 The Moon, when full-faced and shining, is described as in her complement.
3.
a. That which completes or makes perfect; the completion, perfection, consummation.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > completing > [noun] > that which
complement1398
crown1601
completory1659
the world > relative properties > wholeness > completeness > [noun] > completion or complement
complement1398
teleiosis1833
complementation1931
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) v. xxxvi. 149 The herte..is complement and perfeccion of beest.
1595 E. Spenser Amoretti xxiv, in Amoretti & Epithalamion sig. B5v That beauties wonderment..Of natures skill the onely complement.
1656 J. Trapp Comm. John xv. 12 Love is the complement of the law and the supplement of the Gospel.
1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 268. ⁋3 Men rather seek for Money as the Complement of all their Desires.
1860 G. J. Adler tr. C. C. Fauriel Hist. Provençal Poetry ii. 33 The works of Petrarch may be regarded as the complement and consummation of the amatory poetry of the Provencals.
1873 S. Smiles Huguenots in France (1881) ii. ii. 362 ‘The grand tour’ was considered the complement of English education.
b. Grammar. One or more words joined to another to complete the sense (see quots.).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > syntax or word order > syntactic unit or constituent > [noun] > complement
attribute1867
complement1874
1874 J. C. Grece tr. E. Maetzner Eng. Gram. III. 21 The infinitive with to may also take the place of a predicative complement.
1876 C. P. Mason Eng. Gram. (ed. 21) §391 Many verbs do not make complete sense by themselves..and the words used with them to make predication complete may be called the complement of the predicate.
1876 C. P. Mason Eng. Gram. (ed. 21) §395 The third kind of complement is that which follows such verbs as can, will, must, etc... This may be termed the infinitive complement.
1925 J. H. Grattan & P. Gurrey Our Living Lang. xlii. 270 Sentences in Group A below have Multiple Complements (Objects, Predicatives, Adverbs).
1961 R. B. Long Sentence & its Parts 2 His sister is buying antiques will always be understood to have is buying as predicator and antiques as complement; his hobby is buying antiques..to have is as predicator and buying antiques as complement.
1964 E. Palmer tr. A. Martinet Elements Gen. Linguistics iv. 11 Hier, il y avait fête au village...hier and au village..may be eliminated without the utterance ceasing to be a normal sentence..and this is what is meant by the traditional terminology which speaks of them as ‘complements’.
4.
a. The quantity or amount that completes or fills; complete quantity, provision, or set; full allowance, totality.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > completeness > [noun] > complete quantity, provision, or set
complement1589
1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie ii. ii. 55 Matter sufficient to make a full periode or complement of sence.
1776 A. Smith Inq. Wealth of Nations I. i. ix. 117 That full complement of riches which is consistent with the nature of its laws. View more context for this quotation
1798 in Naval Chron. (1799) 1 82 Many..were..busy in completing the complement of their sails.
1850 T. S. Baynes New Anal. Logical Forms 70 We may..regard any whole, considered as the complement of its parts, in either of two ways.
b. esp. with possessive: ‘his complement’, etc.
ΚΠ
1637 R. Humfrey tr. St. Ambrose Christian Offices Pref. That which maketh up their complement.
1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World xi. 318 They will sell 10 or 15 Tuns out of 100, and yet seemingly carry their complement [of Cloves] to Batavia; for they will pour water among the remaining part of their Cargo.
1790 J. Wolcot Advice to Future Laureat in Wks. (1812) II. 340 Brains that want their complement of Wits.
1823 W. Scoresby Jrnl. Voy. Northern Whale-fishery 122 The obvious want of their proper complement of oars.
1856 E. B. Browning Aurora Leigh i. 15 I learnt my complement of classic French.
c. The full number required to complete a company, to fill a conveyance, or esp. to man a ship.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social relations > association, fellowship, or companionship > a company or body of persons > [noun] > of number required
complement1600
compliment1708
establishment1828
society > travel > travel by water > one who travels by water or sea > sailor > [noun] > crew
ship1338
fellowshipa1400
shipping14..
ging1585
company1591
complement1600
ship's company1644
crew1694
compliment1708
equipage1728
1600 in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations (new ed.) III. 61 Commanding our Generall, not to exceede his complement and number appointed him.
c1710 C. Fiennes Diary (1888) 70 An hospitall..for Seamens widdows, 30 is their Complement.
1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson i. i. 5 His squadron wanted three hundred seamen of their complement.
1798 in Ld. Nelson Dispatches & Lett. (1846) VII. 168 Many of the Ships had Troops on board above the complement.
1838 W. H. Prescott Hist. Reign Ferdinand & Isabella II. i. xviii. 178 The complement of the fleet was..fixed at twelve hundred souls.
1842 T. Martin in Fraser's Mag. Dec. ‘Ve've got our complement [in the omnibus] any vay’.
5. † e. complement of life n. Obsolete see quot. 1796.
a. Something which, when added, completes or makes up a whole; each of two parts which mutually complete each other, or supply each other's deficiencies.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > correlation > [noun] > a complement or counterpart
fellowc1330
marrow1516
correlative1545
mate1578
counterpane1612
counterpart1635
correlate1643
tally1647
correspondent1650
complement1827
co-relative1864
opposite number1874
oppo1932
1827 H. Hallam Constit. Hist. Eng. II. xvi. 549 The act of settlement was..the complement of the revolution itself and the bill of rights.
1850 J. McCosh Method Divine Govt. (1874) iii. i. 318 Justice and Love are each the complement of the other.
1850 J. A. Froude Lives Saints in Short Stud. (1867) 377 The animal and the spiritual are.. the complements in the perfect character.
1879 ‘G. Eliot’ College Breakfast Party in Macmillan's Mag. July 168 Crushing Me To a subordinate complement of You.
b. Mathematics. complements of a parallelogram: the two lesser parallelograms, not on the diagonal, made by drawing lines parallel to the sides of a given parallelogram, through the same point in its diagonal. complement of an arc or angle: the angular amount which, added to a given arc or angle, makes up 90 degrees (formerly also some multiple of 90°: cf. supplement n.1 4b); abbreviated (esp. in Trigonometry) into co- prefix 6: see co- prefix 6. arithmetical complement: the sum which, added to a given number, makes up unity, ten, or the next higher multiple of ten; esp. complement of a logarithm, the number by which a logarithm falls short of ten.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > geometry > angle > [noun] > complement
complement of an arc or angle1570
complemental angle1811
the world > relative properties > number > arithmetic or algebraic operations > logarithm > [noun] > arithmetical complement
arithmetical complement1728
1570 H. Billingsley tr. Euclid Elements Geom. i. f. 53v The parallelogrammes about the diameter he [sc. Pelitarius] calleth Complementes.
1594 T. Blundeville Exercises ii. f. 49v To find out the complement..subtract the giuen Arke out of the whole Quadrant.
1660 tr. I. Barrow Euclide's Elements i. 6 Those two [parallelograms]..through which the diameter passeth not, are called Complements.
1696 E. Phillips New World of Words (new ed.) Complement of an Angle, is so much as the Arch wanteth of ninety Degrees..or..of 180 Degrees or..of 360 Degrees.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. Arithmetical Complement, of a Logarithm, is what the Logarithm wants of 10.0000000.
1796 C. Hutton Math. & Philos. Dict. The complement to 180° is usually called the supplement.
1807 C. Hutton Course Math. (ed. 5) II. 2 The Cosine, Cotangent, and Cosecant, of an arc, are the sine, tangent, and secant of the complement of that arc.
1831 D. Brewster Treat. Optics xix. 169 The maximum polarising angle..is the complement of the angle of refraction.
c. Astronomy. The difference between the altitude, latitude, declination, etc. of a heavenly body, and 90 degrees. Abbreviated coaltitude n., co-latitude n., etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > heavenly body > position of heavenly body > [noun] > other
declinationc1400
meridian altitudec1400
angle of position?a1560
zenith distance1588
refraction1603
azimuth1626
amplitude1627
horizontal parallax1665
complement1703
aberration1737
hour-angle1837
intercept1901
1703 Moxon's Mech. Dyalling (ed. 4) in Moxon's Mech. Exercises (new ed.) 322 The Complement of the Poles Elevation..(here at London where the Pole is elevated 511/ 2 Degrees) is 381/ 2 Degrees.
1730 N. Bailey et al. Dictionarium Britannicum Complement,..the distance of a star from the zenith, or the arch that is comprehended between the place of a star above the horizon and the zenith.
1814 J. Playfair Outl. Nat. Philos. II. i. vi. 87 If..the sun's greatest altitude in summer, and his least altitude in winter, be determined, half the sum of these altitudes is the complement of the latitude.
d. Navigation.
ΚΠ
1696 E. Phillips New World of Words (new ed.) Complement of the Course, so many Points as the Course wants of 90 Degrees or eight Points.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. (at cited word) Complement of the Course, in Navigation, is the Number of Points the Course wants of 90 Deg. or 8 Points.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. (at cited word)
ΚΠ
1796 C. Hutton Math. & Philos. Dict. Complement of Life, a term much used..by De Moivre [1725 Annuities upon Lives], and, according to him, it denotes the number of years which a given life wants of 86..which he considered as the utmost probable extent of life.
f. Fortification. complement of the curtain, etc.: see quots.
ΚΠ
1708 J. Kersey Dict. Anglo-Britannicum Complement of the Courtin..the Remainder of the Courtin after its Flank is taken away. Complement of the Line of Defence, is the Remainder of the Line of Defence, after you have taken away the Angle of the Flank.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. (at cited word) The Complement of the Curtain..to the inner Polygon, is the Demigorges.
1853 J. H. Stocqueler Mil. Encycl.
g. Music. The interval which, together with any given interval, makes up a complete octave.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > pitch > interval > [noun] > octave > interval making up octave
complement1873
1873 H. C. Banister Music 40 The inversion of an interval being its complement—that which, added to it, would constitute it an 8ve.
h. Optics. That colour which, mixed with another, produces white.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > colour > [noun] > complementary colour
complementary colours (hues, etc.)1829
complementaryc1865
complement1869
1869 Tyndall in Fortn. Rev. 1 Feb. Every point occupied by a certain colour in the first instance is occupied by the complement of that colour in the second.
i. Biochemistry. A thermolabile protein complex found in blood plasma and other body fluids, which by combining with an antigen-antibody complex can bring about the lysis of antigenic substances such as bacteria or red blood cells. Also in combinations, as complement-fixation n. the process in which complement is removed from solution by combination with an antigen-antibody complex and so rendered incapable of lysing any further antigen-antibody system. complement-fixing n. = complement-fixation n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > laboratory analysis > processes > [noun] > complement-fixing
complement-fixation1900
complement-fixing1921
the world > life > biology > substance > process stimulators or inhibitors > antibody > [noun] > proteins aiding antibodies
addiment1900
complement1900
macrophage colony-stimulating factor1978
M-CSF1978
1900 tr. Ehrlich's Immunity in Proc. Royal Soc. 66 443 Solutions containing either only the ‘immune body’ or only the ‘complement’ were brought in contact with suitable blood corpuscles.
1901–5 Jrnl. Exper. Med. 6 282 Two principles are concerned in lysis... One..is the product of immunization... The other is normally present in the body juices... This latter principle, on account of the complemental nature of its action, they [sc. Ehrlich and Morgenroth] propose to call the ‘complement’... This body is called ‘alexin’ by Bordet, and probably agrees in part with the body of the same name described by Buchner. Metchnikoff calls it ‘cytase’.
1903 Jrnl. Hygiene Jan. 52 The supposed ferment (complement, addiment) upon which this power depends.
1903 Med. Rec. 14 Feb. 249 [Bordet and Ehrlich] recognize the importance of an association of the amboceptor as a condition for the effective action of the complement (cytase).
1906 Jrnl. Exper. Med. 8 726 The complement fixation of specific precipitates.
1911 Jrnl. Hygiene 11 529 No satisfactory distinction between Meningococci and Gonococci can be demonstrated by means of complement-fixation tests.
1921 Proc. Soc. Exper. Biol. & Med. 1920–1 18 172 The complement-fixing substances present in the sera of syphilitic patients.
1957 Nature 30 Mar. 668/1 Rabbits and guinea pigs immunized with human liver or kidney suspensions developed complement fixation antibodies to several other human tissue antigens.
1970 R. Passmore & J. S. Robson Compan. Med. Stud. II. xxii. 16 Complement has the ability to lyse the antibody-coated cells.
j. Logic and Mathematics. All the members of any set, class, or space of elements that are not in a given subset.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > mathematical number or quantity > numerical arrangement > [noun] > set > elements in or parts of
interval1838
identity1894
identity element1902
complement1937
supremum1938
infimum1940
sup1940
equivalence class1952
1937 S. K. Langer Introd. Symbolic Logic vi. 144 The universe class and the null class are each other's complements.
1937 S. K. Langer Introd. Symbolic Logic vi. 147 Every class which may be formed in a given universe has a complement.
1947 G. Birkhoff & S. MacLane Surv. Mod. Algebra xi. 331 Each set S has a ‘complement’ S′ satisfying S∩S′ = o, S∪S′ = I.
1965 Sze-Tsen Hu Elem. Mod. Algebra i. 4 If A is a subset of X, then the difference..will be called the complement of A with respect to X.
II. Senses connected with compliment n., and now so written in sense 9.† 6. Anything that goes to make up or fully equip; a completing accessory or adjunct. Obsolete.† 7. That which goes to ‘complete’ the gentleman; a personal accomplishment or quality. Obsolete.† 8. † b. Observance of ceremony in social relations; ceremoniousness; formal civility, politeness, or courtesy. to keep complement: to observe ceremony. Obsolete. Now compliment n.† 9. A ceremonious or formal tribute of (mere) courtesy paid to any one; plural ceremonies of civility or politeness. Now compliment n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > accompaniment > [noun] > that which accompanies
purtenancea1382
accessory1429
retinue?a1439
accessaryc1475
companion1533
annexe?1541
hanger-ona1555
supply1567
copemate1581
complement1586
fere1593
adjective1597
annexment1604
annexary1605
attendant1607
adherence1610
adjacent1610
wife1616
fellower1620
coincident1626
attendancy1654
associate1658
appanage1663
conjunct1667
perquisite1667
familiar1668
satellite1702
accompaniment1709
accompanying1761
side dish1775
obbligato1825
shadow1830
rider1859
gadget1917
1586 A. Day Eng. Secretorie i. sig. F4v Vnarmed against him that was armed, vnfurnished, against him that had all maner of complementes of warre.
1602 R. Tyrie 5 Godlie Serm. 174 With all the adiuncts, properties, qualities, duties, and complements belonging vnto them.
1607 Lingua ii. ii. (heading) in W. C. Hazlitt Dodsley's Sel. Coll. Old Eng. Plays (1874) IX. 367 Rings, jewels, a fan, and in every place other odd complements.
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 462 The Englishman..armed himselfe with a Mvsket, Sword and Dagger, and other complements.
1693 T. P. Blount Nat. Hist. 130 Tobacco is by few now taken as Medicinal, it is of late..faln from a Physician to a Complement.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > [noun] > good quality
endroitc1460
complement1592
quality1891
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > [noun] > seemly behaviour or propriety > quality that fits one for society
accomplishment1586
complement1592
the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [noun] > acquired skill > an accomplishment
quality1584
accomplishment1586
sufficiency1590
complement1592
virtuea1600
enduement1609
preparationa1616
completion1662
qualification1699
accompliment1705
1592 A. Day Eng. Secretorie (rev. ed.) i. sig. Y3 One, whose birth, education, or other complements, may sufficiently aunswere.
1600 B. Jonson Every Man out of his Humor i. ii. sig. Ciii All the rare qualities, humors, and complements of a gentleman. View more context for this quotation
1636 T. Heywood Challenge for Beautie ii. sig. Cv What thinke you of this stranger?.. Of his carriage and complement.
a. Any observance that tends to give completeness to the expression of worship, honour, reverence, or the like; a ceremony, a formality. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pride > ostentation > ceremony or formality > [noun] > a ceremony or formality
ceremonyc1380
rialtyc1415
complement1597
formality1674
rites1929
1597 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie v. lviii. 130 If the case..permitteth not baptisme to haue the decent complements of baptisme.
1609 P. Holland tr. Ammianus Marcellinus Rom. Hist. xxvi. vii. 296 Bound with firm religious complements.
1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 167 Earles were created in old time without any complement or ceremonie at all.
1643 W. Prynne Soveraigne Power Parl. ii. 75 The royall assent..is in truth but a formall Ceremony or complement.
1646 F. Hawkins tr. Youths Behaviour (ed. 4) ii. §16 For that which concerneth Ceremonies or Complements.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > [noun] > formal
complement1597
complementalness1657
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > be courteous [verb (intransitive)] > formally
to keep complement1597
comply1604
1597 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet ii. i. 131 Faine would I dwell on forme..but farewell complements. Doest thou loue me? View more context for this quotation
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost iv. ii. 141 Stay not thy complement, I forgiue thy dewtie, adue. View more context for this quotation
1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear i. 291 Further complement of leaue taking. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) iii. i. 98 'Twas neuer merry world, Since lowly feigning was call'd complement . View more context for this quotation
1623 H. Cockeram Eng. Dict. Complement..fine behaviour.
1627 W. Sclater Briefe Expos. 2 Thess. (1629) 305 Euen Religion allowes ciuill curtesie: nor are Apostles so precise but to keepe complement.
1652 R. Brome Joviall Crew ii. sig. F3v A meer load of outward complement.
1670 I. Walton Life J. Donne 9 in Lives True friendship..Is not discharged by complement, and show.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > compliment > [noun]
complement1578
complemento1582
compliment1655
douceurs1665
bouquet1955
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > courteous act or expression > [noun] > ceremonious
ceremonyc1386
complement1578
complemento1582
formality1603
accompliment1613
compliment1655
ceremonial1749
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > courteous act or expression > [noun] > remembrance or greetings sent
recommendation1427
commend1488
commendation1529
complement1578
recado1615
remembrances1631
compliment1733
1578 T. Nicholas tr. F. Lopez de Gómara Pleasant Hist. Conquest W. India 264 People, with whome such complementes should not be used.
1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene vi. x. sig. Hh4v Friendly offices..All the complements of curtesie. View more context for this quotation
?1610 J. Fletcher Faithfull Shepheardesse v. sig. K4v Banish all complement but single truth. From euery tongue.
1653 H. Holcroft tr. Procopius War with Vandals ii. 28 in tr. Procopius Hist. Warres Justinian Courting with gifts, and invitations to his table, and other complements.
1665 Voy. E.-India in G. Havers tr. P. della Valle Trav. E. India 376 Their Heads are continually covered with a Shash..which they never pull off, as we do our Hats in Complements.
1694 R. L'Estrange Fables (1714) liv. 67 The Fox return'd the Complement.
1707 G. Farquhar Beaux Stratagem v. 64 Come, come, my Lady, this is no time for Complements.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
complementv.
/kɒmplɪˈmɛnt/ I. Extant sense.
1. transitive. To make complete or perfect, to supply what is wanting; to form the complement to.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > completeness > make complete [verb (transitive)] > complete, fill up, or make up
to make up one's mouthc1175
fulfila1225
through-fill?c1225
upspeed1338
supplya1398
araisea1440
to make outa1562
accomplish1577
complement1643
implement1843
1643 R. Baker Chron. Kings of Eng. i. 51 He never stayed to complement the Dysaster.
1865 Reader No. 143. 337/2 Information..from other documents to complement these.
1875 W. Stubbs Constit. Hist. (ed. 2) I. ii. 36 The three principles..complement and complicate each other's action.
1879 F. W. Farrar Life & Work St. Paul II. App. ix. 614 Truths which complement but do not contradict each other.
II. Obsolete senses, afterwards expressed by compliment v.† 2. † b. So to complement it. Obsolete.† 3. † 4. to complement (a person) with (something): to present him with it as a mark of courtesy. Obsolete. (Now compliment v. 4.)
a. intransitive. To employ ceremonies of formal courtesy, to exchange formal courtesies; to bow. Obsolete (= compliment v. 1).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > courteous act or expression > use formal courtesy in act or expression [verb (intransitive)]
to complement it1617
complementa1625
to pay one's respects1652
to pass, pay, make, etc. a compliment1655
compliment1663
a1625 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Coxcombe i. ii, in Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Nnv/1 Ser. Mistris there are 2. Gentlemen. Mar. Where? Ser. Complementing who should first enter.
1642 E. Reynolds Israels Petition 3 Complementing with God, and then forsaking him.
1644 J. Milton Areopagitica 8 Sometimes 5 Imprimaturs are seen together..in the Piatza of one Title page, complementing and ducking each to other with their shav'n reverences.
1658 A. Cokayne Trappolin iii. i, in Small Poems 469 Complement with me no more then I complement with you.
a1692 W. Mountfort Life & Death Faustus (1697) i. 9 (stage direct.) Here they Complement who shall go first.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > courteous act or expression > use formal courtesy in act or expression [verb (intransitive)]
to complement it1617
complementa1625
to pay one's respects1652
to pass, pay, make, etc. a compliment1655
compliment1663
1617 L. Andrewes 96 Serm. (1661) 651 As if we could complement it with God, with face and phrases, as with men we do.
1624 D. Cawdrey Humilitie Saints Liverie 9 Thus shall you have a man..complement it to the ground, lay his hands under your feet, etc.
a. transitive. ‘To sooth with acts or expressions of respect; to flatter; to praise’: see compliment v. 2. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > commend or praise [verb (transitive)]
heryc735
mickleeOE
loveOE
praise?c1225
upraisea1300
alosec1300
commenda1340
allow1340
laud1377
lose1377
avauntc1380
magnifya1382
enhancea1400
roosea1400
recommendc1400
recommanda1413
to bear up?a1425
exalt1430
to say well (also evil, ill, etc.) of (also by)1445
laudifyc1470
gloryc1475
advance1483
to bear out1485
prizec1485
to be or to have in laudationa1500
joya1500
extol1509
collaud1512
concend?1521
solemnize?1521
celebrate1522
stellify1523
to set up1535
well-word1547
predicate1552
glorify1557
to set forth1565
admire1566
to be up with1592
voice1594
magnificate1598
plaud1598
concelebrate1599
encomionize1599
to con laud1602
applauda1616
panegyrize1617
acclamate1624
to set offa1625
acclaim1626
raise1645
complement1649
encomiate1651
voguec1661
phrase1675
to set out1688
Alexander1700
talk1723
panegyricize1777
bemouth1799
eulogizea1810
rhapsodize1819
crack up1829
rhapsody1847
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > courteous act or expression > use courteous actions or expressions to [verb (transitive)]
obeya1450
accomplement1601
to do (also perform) the honoura1645
complement1649
forsooth1661
complimenta1704
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > compliment > [verb (transitive)]
complement1649
compliment1668
1649 T. Fuller Just Mans Funeral 11 Rabshakeh pretended a Commission from God..and complements blasphemie.
1654 Bp. J. Taylor Real Presence 26 He cannot escape the Inquisition unlesse he complement the Church, and with a civility tell her that she knows better.
1661 A. Marvell Let. 6 Apr. in Poems & Lett. (1971) II. 22 Monsieur du Plessis.. is come ouer from them to complement his Majesty.
1700 W. Calverley Memorandum Bk. in C. Jackson et al. Yorks. Diaries (1886) II. 92 Sir John sent..to complement them for their kindness.
1710 Life Bp. Stillingfleet 84 Ready..to strike with the Deists, to complement and cajole them.
1711 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. (1889) III. 205 He complements me for my Ed. (most accurate Edition he calls it) of Leland's Itin.
b. to complement away, out of: see compliment v. 2b.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > motivation > persuasion > persuade (a person) [verb (transitive)] > wheedle, coax, or cajole > into or out of
coy1635
to complement away, out of1640
wheedle1667
to compliment (a person) into (a state), out of (a thing)1705
inveigle1849
blandander1888
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > compliment > [verb (transitive)] > do away with by compliments
to complement away, out of1640
to compliment away1826
1640 T. Nabbes Bride iii. ii As if the enterteinment..were not chargeable enough, but you must complement away wine and sweet meats.
1645 T. Fuller Good Thoughts in Bad Times iii. vi. 141 Cæsar complemented his life away.
1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. vi. 308 For, King Henry his smiles complemented the former out of their Houses.
1694 J. Collier Misc. i. 35 Lest Churchmen should complement away the Usefulness and Authority of their Calling; they would do well to decline superlative Observance.
1715 M. Davies Εἰκων Μικρο-βιβλικὴ 129 To shorten disputes..and so complement them out of their Heresies.
ΚΠ
1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World xii. 328 He may be..complimented..with Tobacco and Betel nut.
1732 in Liverpool Munic. Rec. (1886) II. 92 That the Right Honole Hugh Lord Willoughby..be complemented with his freedom.
Derivatives
ˈcomplementing n. and adj. = complimenting n. at compliment v. Derivatives.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > compliment > congratulation > [adjective]
congratulatory1523
gratulatory1577
complementing1627
gratulinga1640
congratulating1651
applaudatory1660
congratulant1667
congratulational1827
congratulative1848
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > courteous act or expression > [noun] > ceremonious > employing
complementing1627
complimenting1681
complimentation1834
1627 W. Sclater Briefe Expos. 2 Thess. (1629) 74 All Complementings with Idolaters.
1649 J. Milton Εικονοκλαστης xx. 180 God, who stood neerer then hee for complementing minded, writ down those words.
1658 R. Allestree Pract. Christian Graces; or, Whole Duty of Man v. §22. 124 It's but a kind of formal complementing.
1704 J. Blair in W. S. Perry Hist. Coll. Amer. Colonial Church: Virginia (1870) I. 94 They had refused to sign a complementing address.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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n.1398v.1617