a. [f. COMPLEMENT sb. + -AL.]
1. Of the nature of a complement; completing.
1602. Fulbecke, Pandectes, 25. Duxisse vxorem, which signifieth the complementall act of maringe.
1649. Ambrose, Media, i. (1652), 2. Both these branches of Sacramental Justification, are to us the pre-assurance of that complemental and perfective Justification, the sentence whereof putteth an end to all fears, changing our Faith and Hope into fruition and full possession.
2. Forming a complement (to), complementary. Complemental air: see quot. 1872. Complemental angle: that which, added to another, makes a right angle.
1811. Hutton, Course Math., III. 263. The Angle A = 35° 16′, or the complemental angle ACE = 54° 44′.
1872. Huxley, Phys., iv. 92. After an ordinary inspiration [230 cubic inches] … another 100 cubic inches called Complemental air may be added.
1882–3. C. W. Shields, in Schaff, Encycl. Relig. Knowl., 1835. Revelation by its very definition is complemental to reason.
1887. W. Bayliss, Art in Its Relation to History, in Mag. of Art, X. Oct., 411/1. Now this, which is the primary, is also the noblest relationship that can exist between Art and History. They are co-ordinate and complemental to each other; and Art thus related to History I will call Historic Art.
b. Complemental male (in Zool.): a name given by Darwin to a minute rudimentary male, complemental to and parasitic on the hermaphrodite (or female) in certain cirripeds and other species.
1851. Darwin, Monogr. Cirripedia, Lepadidæ (Ray Soc.), 55. The masculine power of certain hermaphrodite species of Ibla and Scalpellum is rendered more efficient by certain parasitic males, which, from their not pairing, as in all hitherto known cases with females, but with hermaphrodites, I have designated Complemental Males. Ibid., 281.
1888. Rolleston & Jackson, Anim. Life, 609. Myzostoma glabrum, though hermaphrodite, has small ‘complemental’ males, like certain hermaphrodite Cirripedia.
† 3. Additional, accessory. Obs.
1634. Sir T. Herbert, Trav., 211. Her [the Dodo’s] visage darts from melancholy, as sensible of Natures injurie, in framing so great a body, to be guided with complementall wings, so small and impotent, that they serue only to proue her Bird.
1643. Sir T. Browne, Relig. Med., I. § 18. To adore these complementall and circumstantial pieces of felicity, and undervalue those perfections and essentiall points of happinesse.
1655. D. Capel, Tentations, 7. Complemental graces and ornaments of faith.
† 4. Of the nature of an accessory ceremony; formal; ceremonial, ceremonious.
1637. Reliq. Wotton. (1672), 75. After a complemental welcoming him into the Lap of the Church.
1643. Prynne, Sov. Power Parl., I. (ed. 2), 50. Royall assents to Lawes, are no wayes essentiall … but rather a complementall Ceremony.
1655. Fuller, Ch. Hist., IX. i. § 20. They were not sent into a complementall custody, but some of them thrust into the prison of a prison.
1695. Tryon, Dreams & Vis., iii. 40. They … only retain the Complemental outside of Religion.
† 5. Of persons: Accomplished. Obs. (Cf. COMPLEMENT 7.)
a. 1634. Randolph, Muses Looking-Gl. (N.). A complementall youth, That thinks himself a spruce and expert courtier, Bending his supple hammes, kissing his hands.
1636. Heywood, Chall, Beauty, II. Wks. 1874, V. 18. Hee that hath travell’d many Countries … With … small difficulty may … Appeare complementall.
† 6. = COMPLIMENTAL 2. Obs.
1603. B. Jonson, Jas. I’s Entert., Wks. (Rtldg.), 528/1. Thus far the complemental part.
1606. Shaks., Tr. & Cr., III. i. 42. I will make a complementall assault vpon him, for my businesse seethes.
1629. J. Maxwell, trans. Herodian (1635), 147. In the sayd courtly and complementall lines he besought him to bee Protector of the Empire.
1654. Gataker, Disc. Apol., 15. How the Gentrie … spent much of the Lords day in Complemental Visitations.
1669. Penn, No Cross, ii. § 7. No Courtly Dress, Gay Apparel, Complemental Respects.
1703. Savage, Lett. Antients, 73. A Complemental Letter.
† B. sb. A person given to complimenting. Obs.
1671. H. M., trans. Erasmus’ Colloq., 18. Thou hast shown thy self to be in no wise a feined complemental in this cause.
