Compliment
/ˈkɒm.plɪ.mənt/noun
A polite expression of praise or admiration.
Did you know?English compliment was influenced by French compliment, which developed from a sense of ceremonial formality and social propriety, not from the unrelated word complete.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
complēre
“to fill up, complete”
Late Latin
Latin
complēmentum
“that which fills up; completion”
16th Century
French
compliment
“formal courtesy, expression of respect”
17th Century
English
compliment
“expression of praise, polite praise”
Explore more surprising origins