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compliment

2 ENTRIES FOUND:

1com·pli·ment

noun \ˈkäm-plə-mənt\

Definition of COMPLIMENT

1
a : an expression of esteem, respect, affection, or admiration; especially : an admiring remark b : formal and respectful recognition : honor
2
plural : best wishes : regards <accept my compliments> <compliments of the season>

Examples of COMPLIMENT

  1. He told her he admired her paintings and she returned the compliment by saying that she was a fan of his sculptures.
  2. When customers recommend our company to friends and family members, we consider that to be the highest compliment we can get.
  3. Boys in the Midwest grow up without a word of praise, their parents fearful that a compliment might make them vain … —Garrison Keillor, WLT: A Radio Romance, 1991

Origin of COMPLIMENT

Middle French, from Italian complimento, from Spanish cumplimiento, from cumplir to be courteous — more at comply
First Known Use: 1598

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