Com″pli‐ment (?), 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.
Tedious waste of time, to sit and hear
So many hollow compliments and lies.
Milton.
Many a compliment politely penned.
Cowper.
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.