Compliment, n.
Etymology: [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 courtesias to. -- To stand on compliment, to treat with ceremony.
Syn. -- See Adulation.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Compliment, v. t.
To praise, flatter, or gratify, by expressions of approbation, respect, or congratulation; to make or pay a compliment to. Monarchs should their inward soul disguise; . . . Should compliment their foes and shun their friends. Prior.
Syn. -- To praise; flatter; adulate; commend.
Compliment, v. i.
To pass compliments; to use conventional expressions of respect. I make the interlocutors, upon occasion, compliment with one another. Boyle.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for compliment; he lists it under praise.
Where he writes about it:
Praise is always understood as genuine and sincere, unless the contrary is expressly stated; compliment is a light form of praise that may or may not be sincere; flattery is insincere and ordinarily fulsome praise. — from praise