complimentaryadj.
/kɒmplɪˈmɛntəri/ 1.
a. Expressive of, or conveying, compliment; of the nature of a compliment.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > charges > freedom from charge > [adjective] > of tickets
complimentary1715
comp1875
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > compliment > [adjective] > of the nature of or expressing compliment
fine1568
complemental1604
complimentary1715
complimentala1745
complimentative1778
flatteringa1797
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > a theatre > theatrical equipment or accessories > [adjective] > relating to ticket
complimentary1715
1628 J. Earle Micro-cosmogr. lv. sig. K5 Whose entertainments to greater men are respectfull not complementary.
1657 J. Sergeant Schism Dispach't 372 Nothing but a dry complementary precedency to walk, stand, or speak first.]
1715 M. Davies Athenæ Britannicæ I. 52 Their pretended Friends..accidental or complimentary Expressions.
1759 R. Hurd Moral & Polit. Dialogues (1760) i. 16 I made complimentary verses on the great lords and ladies of the court.
1841 I. D'Israeli Amenities Lit. II. 363 That formal complimentary style, borrowed from the Italians.
1880 L. Stephen Alexander Pope iv. 85 Pope's references to his Sovereign were not complimentary.
b. Of persons: Using compliment.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > compliment > [adjective]
complimentala1720
complimentary1880
1880 ‘Ouida’ Moths I. 179 I cannot say that she is complimentary.
Draft additions September 2019
Given free of charge; provided at no extra cost.
ΚΠ
1826 Morning Post 8 Feb. The managers of the dinner..were too sordid to give their friends of the Press in Dublin a complimentary ticket.
1928 Publishers' Weekly 10 Nov. 1962/2 We shall be glad to send a complimentary copy of the novel on request to any retail salesperson to read.
1989 Ski Mar. (West Region section) 2/1 If lodging is booked through Copper Mountain Lodging Services, use of the club (except courts) is complimentary.
2005 M. Dunn Best Man vii. 114 Clutching an armful of brochures and slightly drunk on complimentary champagne, Nick leaves the salesman with a promise that we'll ‘think about it’.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online September 2019).
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adj.1715