compliment

1. 1

   An expression of praise, congratulation, or respect.

   • pay someone a compliment
2. 2

   Complimentary language; courtesy, flattery.uncountable

   • He told the Captain, He was heartily sorry for his Misfortunes; tho’ in my Opinion that was nothing but a Compliment: For, as I found afterwards, he was more brutish, and dishonest, than most of the other Kings on the Island […]
   • This accomplished man condescended to think of a young girl, and take the pains to talk to her, not with absurd compliment, but with an appeal to her understanding, and sometimes with instructive correction.
3. 3

   Misspelling of complement.alt-ofmisspelling

syn. praise

ant. insult

1. 1

   To pay a compliment (to someone); to express a favourable opinion (of someone).ambitransitive

   • […] She transferr'd the curs'd Advice, / That Monarchs ſhould their inward Soul diſguise, / Diſſemble, and command; be falſe, and wiſe; / By ignominous Arts for ſervile Ends / Should compliment their Foes, and ſhun their Friends.
2. 2

   Misspelling of complement.alt-ofmisspelling