Compliment (?), n. [F. compliment. It complimento, fr. comlire to compliment, finish, suit, fr. L. complere to fill up. See Complete, and cf. Complement.] An expression, by word or act, of approbation, regard, confidence, civility, or admiration; a flattering speech or attention; a ceremonious greeting; as, to send one's compliments to a friend.
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Tedious waste of time, to sit and hear
So many hollow compliments and lies. Milton.
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Many a compliment politely penned. Cowper.
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To make one a compliment, to show one respect; to praise one in a flattering way. Locke. -- To make one's compliments to, to offer formal courtesies to. -- To stand on compliment, to treat with ceremony.

Syn. -- See Adulation.
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Compliment, v. i. To pass compliments; to use conventional expressions of respect.
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I make the interlocutors, upon occasion, compliment with one another. Boyle.
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