Also 7 comply-ment. [Adopted in end of 17th c. from F. compliment, 16th c. ad. It. complimento, ‘expression of respect and civility to another by words or by acts.’ The L. complēmentum, Romanic complimento, became in OF. complement (compliement), in It. compimento, with the original sense of ‘filling up, fulfilment, accomplishment’; in OCat. complimento, Sp. cumplimiento, there was a special development of use, as in the verb (see COMPLY), giving the sense ‘observance or fulfilment of the requirements and forms of courtesy,’ which was adopted in It. in the form complimento, and thence passed into Fr. and Eng. Compliment is thus a doublet of COMPLEMENT (the form directly from Latin). The latter was in use in this sense about a century before the introduction of the French word, which slowly took its place between 1655 and 1715: see COMPLEMENT sb. 9, where the earlier history of this sense may be seen; cf. also COMPLY.
H. L’Estrange’s comply-ment, compli-ment (in sense 1, 1 b), appear to have been formed for the nonce on COMPLY, before compliment was in Eng. use. Cf. Skinner, 1668–71 ‘complement a Fr. compliment, It. complimento, hæc a verbo to Comply, q.d. Comply-ments.’
(From c. 1700 to the present day nearly all editions of 16–17th–c. works, whether re-issues of printed books or original editions from MS. (e.g., Clarendon’s History, Pepys’ Diary, Letters of Dorothy Osborne, etc.), systematically alter the original spelling complement into compliment, as do also modern dictionaries in their alleged quotations; only contemporary documents supply evidence as to the introduction of the French form.)]
1. A ceremonial act or expression as a tribute of courtesy, ‘usually understood to mean less than it declares’ (J.); now, esp. a neatly turned remark addressed to any one, implying or involving praise; but, also applied to a polite expression of praise or commendation in speaking of a person, or to any act taken as equivalent thereto: see the modern examples. In phrases, as To pass, pay, make, etc., a compliment. To return the compliment: to pay back compliment with compliment; to retaliate. Chinese compliment: see CHINESE.
[1578–1707. see COMPLEMENT sb. 9.]
1654. H. L’Estrange, Chas. I. (1655), 2. His [Charles’s] reception at the Spanish Court … was with all possible ceremonies of honour, and specious comply-ments.
[1674. Temple, Lett. Ld. Treasurer, Wks. 1731, II. 318. When I said Compliments, I intended not such Expressions of Kindness as are not meant, but such as are more or greater than there is need of.]
1704. Luttrell, Brief Rel. (1857), V. 455. The elector of Bavaria … ordered his troops to give no quarter to the English … which being known … they returned the compliment upon them.
1709. Steele, Tatler, No. 16, ¶ 4. These Ministers … made him Compliments in the Name of the States General.
1749. Fielding, Tom Jones (1836), I. II. vi. 79. I make a just compliment to the great wisdom … of our law.
1826. Disraeli, Viv. Grey, VII. iii. 395. Compliments are doubly agreeable from a crowned head.
1827. Hare, Guesses (1859), 153. A compliment is usually accompanied with a bow, as if to beg pardon for paying it.
1836. Hor. Smith, Tin Trump. (1876), 98. Compliment—a thing often paid by people who pay nothing else.
1868. Q. Victoria, Tours in Eng. & Ir., 189. I intend to create Bertie ‘Earl of Dublin,’ as a compliment to the town and country; he has no Irish title.
1883. Mrs. J. H. Riddell, Three Wizards & a Witch, iv., in Lond. Soc., XLIII. 125/1. Having dealt his daughter which backhanded compliment, and leaving both his hearers to take whatever meaning they pleased out of it, the Baronet proposed an adjournment to the next apartment.
Mod. They have paid him the compliment of electing him an honorary member. How could he have paid you a higher compliment than to adopt your conclusions?
b. (without a or pl.) Complimentary language; polite expression of praise or flattery.
1654. H. L’Estrange, K. Charles, 4. Lewis, who disdained to be wanting in any dues of compli-ment.
1682. Sir C. Sedley, in Lett. 2nd Earl Chesterfield (1829), 232. Being, without compliment or any regard to the common close of a letter, your very Obedient Servant.
1705. Pope, Lett. Wycherley, 23 June (Wks. 1737). You treat me so much in a style of compliment.
1814. Scott, Wav., xxvii. To say something within the verge of ordinary compliment and conversation.
2. usually in pl. Formal respects, remembrances, greetings; esp. in phrases, as To make, pay, present, send (one’s) compliments, and the like. Compliments of the season: greetings appropriate to the (Christmas) season.
1733. Swift, Lett. (1766), II. 181. The whole family of my ladies send their compliments. Ibid. (1739), II. 259. I made his royal highness your compliments, which he accepted with much satisfaction.
1766. (24 Dec.) T. Wroughton, in Ellis, Orig. Lett., II. IV. 507. I heartily wish you the Compliments of the Season.
1774. Chesterf., Lett., I. ix. 29. Make my compliments to your mamma.
1814. Scott, Wav., xxxix. His compliments were … delivered by a servant.
1818. in Sir J. Sinclair’s Corr. (1831), II. 56. Mr. Rush presents his compliments to Sir John Sinclair, and begs to acknowledge the receipt of his obliging note.
1838. Lytton, Alice, 125. Kind compliments to Mr. Merton.
† b. with specifying words. Obs.
[1677. Govt. Venice, 105. [Sent] with Complements of Condolence for the death of his Father, and Complements of Congratulation for his Access to the Crown.]
1736. Col. Rec. Penn., IV. 55. An Opportunity of paying their Compliments of Condolance.
1771. Smollett, Humph. Cl. (1815), 179. Lady Griskin had come to make her formal compliments of condolence to Mrs. Tabitha.
1757. Chesterf., Lett., 320 (1792), IV. 93. Those attentions [a short compliment of congratulation] are always kindly taken, and cost one nothing but pen, ink, and paper.
3. A complimentary gift, a present, gratuity. To make one a compliment of (a thing). arch. or dial. Bristol compliment (see quot. 1854).
1722. Lond. Gaz., No. 6101/2. The Prince … made a Compliment of his Horse and Furniture to the Collonel.
1758. Binnell, Descr. Thames, 36. It was … the Residence of the Princess Anne … the Duke of Sommerset having made her a Compliment of it.
1789. in Picton, L’pool Munic. Rec. (1886), II. 266. The compliment he expects for the plans already furnished.
1812. Examiner, 21 Sept., 606/1. The Verger … said ‘he expected a compliment.’
1854. N. & Q., Ser. I. IX. 541/1. A present made of an article that you do not care about keeping yourself is called ‘a Bristol Compliment.’
1860. Bartlett, Dict. Amer., Compliment, a present. South-Western.
fig. 1702. W. S. Perry, Hist. Coll. Amer. Col. Ch., I. 70. Englishmen … will never more become very apt to make a Compliment to their Princes Prerogative of their English Libertys.
1743. Fielding, Jon. Wild, I. i. Nothing is more usual with writers, who find many instances of greatness in their favorite hero, than to make him a compliment of goodness into the bargain.
† 4. Occas. in sense of COMPLEMENT 4 c. Obs.
1708. Chamberlayne, St. Gt. Brit., I. II. xiv. (1743), 133. The Men, full Compliment, 1250.
5. attrib. and Comb., as compliment-monger.
1726. Amherst, Terræ Filius, xliv. (1741), 232. I shall give you … instances of these ecclesiastical compliment-mongers.
