[a. F. complimente-r, f. compliment: see prec. Pronounced by some with stress on first syllable, but the final syllable is always clear.]
1. intr. To employ ceremony or formal courtesy in act or expression; now only as absol. use of sense 2; ‘to use ceremonious or adulatory language’ (J.).
[1612–1697. see COMPLEMENT v. 2.]
1663. Cowley, Cutter Colman-St., IV. viii. 52. My Father sent me in to Complement [edd. 1710 etc., compliment], And keep a Prating here.
1697. Vanbrugh, Relapse, I. ii. Ha, ha! Your honour’s pleased to compliment.
1815. Jane Austen, Emma, III. ii. 274. Believe me, I never compliment.
1873. Browning, Red Cott. Nt.-C., 658. A park—Yes, but à l’Anglaise, as they compliment!
2. trans. To address or greet with formal expressions of civility, respect, or regard; to pay a compliment to; ‘to soothe with acts or expressions of respect’ (J.); to flatter with polite and delicate praise.
[1649–1711. see COMPLEMENT v. 3.
1668. Pepys, Diary, 6 March. Being complimented [MS. complemented] by everybody with admiration.
a. 1680. Butler, Rem. (1759), I. 212. As Roman Noblemen were wont to greet, And compliment the Rabble in the Street.]
1735. Berkeley, Freethink. in Math., 19, Wks. III. 310. You are pleased to compliment me with depth of thought.
1828. D’Israeli, Chas. I., III. ix. 207. The English themselves had been feasted and complimented.
1838. Emerson, Addr., Wks. (Bohn), II. 203. You would compliment a coxcomb doing a good act, but you would not praise an angel.
b. To compliment away: to do away with, by compliments. To compliment (a person) into (a state), out of (a thing): to bring into, or ‘do’ out of, by compliments.
[1640–1715. see COMPLEMENT v. 3 b.]
1705. Pope, Lett. Wycherley, 23 June. Complimenting me into a better opinion of my self than I deserve.
1826. Southey, Vind. Eccl. Angl., 360. Prelates … complimenting away the possessions of their sees to the crown.
c. fig.
a. 1704. T. Brown, Eng. Sat., Wks. (1730), I. 25. Lycambes complimented the iambicks of Archilochus.
1710. T. Fuller, Pharm. Extemp., 287. Lozengis are … fit for delicate nice persons, that must have their Palates complimented.
1732. Law, Serious C., xxiii. (ed. 2), 469. Everything that compliments or flatters your abilities.
1850. Lynch, Theo. Trin., v. 84. To think we compliment God’s heaven by despising his earth.
3. To congratulate formally (up)on; to felicitate.
1717. Lady M. W. Montague, Lett., II. xliv. 20. She is immediately complimented upon it by the others.
1863. Geo. Eliot, Romola, II. xxvi. (1880), I. 324. He was complimented on his opportune service.
1884. F. M. Crawford, Rom. Singer, I. 22. I complimented the boy on the great progress he had made.
† b. Formerly also: To offer formal condolence: cf. compliments of condolence, in the sb. 2 b.
1755. Johnson, Condoler, one that compliments another upon his misfortunes [altered by Todd to ‘that condoles with’].
4. spec. To present (a person) with (a thing) as a mark of courtesy; to bestow (a degree, title, etc.) in compliment; to manifest courtesy by a gift or other favor.
[1682. Prideaux, Lett. (1875), 125. Ld. Herbert [was] at the same time, made Mr. of Arts … the University have complimented him with this degree.
1697–1732. see COMPLEMENT v. 4].
1717. Lady M. W. Montague, Lett., II. xliv. 20. I was complimented with perfumes.
1742. Fielding, Jos. Andrews, II. iv. 50. Bellarmine had complimented her with a brilliant from his finger.
1772. Johnson, Lett., I. lvi. 69. They complimented me with playing the fountain, and opening the cascade.
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., III. 600. Prince George … fully expected to be complimented with a seat in the royal coach.
Hence Complimenting vbl. sb. and ppl. a., Complimentingly adv.
[1654. Cromwell, Sp., 12 Sept. (Carlyle). Not complimentingly—God knows!]
1681. Nevile, Plato Rediv., 48. I thought you had said, Sir, that we should have done Complimenting.
1817. Keatinge, Trav., I. 225. After due … complimenting among the principal personages on each part, we proceeded.
