Complement
['kɒmplɪm(ə)nt] or ['kɑmplɪmɛnt]
Definition
(noun.) something added to complete or embellish or make perfect; 'a fine wine is a perfect complement to the dinner'; 'wild rice was served as an accompaniment to the main dish'.
(noun.) either of two parts that mutually complete each other.
(noun.) a word or phrase used to complete a grammatical construction.
(noun.) number needed to make up a whole force; 'a full complement of workers'.
(noun.) a complete number or quantity; 'a full complement'.
(noun.) one of a series of enzymes in the blood serum that are part of the immune response.
(verb.) make complete or perfect; supply what is wanting or form the complement to; 'I need some pepper to complement the sweet touch in the soup'.
Editor: Olivia--From WordNet
Definition
(v. t.) That which fills up or completes; the quantity or number required to fill a thing or make it complete.
(v. t.) That which is required to supply a deficiency, or to complete a symmetrical whole.
(v. t.) Full quantity, number, or amount; a complete set; completeness.
(v. t.) A second quantity added to a given quantity to make it equal to a third given quantity.
(v. t.) Something added for ornamentation; an accessory.
(v. t.) The whole working force of a vessel.
(v. t.) The interval wanting to complete the octave; -- the fourth is the complement of the fifth, the sixth of the third.
(v. t.) A compliment.
(v. t.) To supply a lack; to supplement.
(v. t.) To compliment.
Edited by Benson
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Full number, full quantity.
Typist: Ursula
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Completion, fulfilment, totality, supply, counterpart, correlative
ANT:Deficiency, deficit, insufficiency, abatement, detraction, defalcation,diminution, drawback
Inputed by Augustine
Definition
n. that which completes or fills up: full number or quantity: (Shak.) politeness.—v.t. Complement′ to supplement: (arch.) to compliment.—adjs. Complement′al completing: (Shak.) complimental; Complement′ary completing: together making up a whole.—Complementary angles angles which together make up a right angle.
Typist: Ollie
Examples
- But this complement may be much inferior to what, with other laws and institutions, the nature of its soil, climate, and situation, might admit of. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- The machine also acts as a hose cart and carries a full complement of firemen. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- It was generally supposed that these two officials formed the complement of each other. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- It is the complement of that problem. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- On several occasions during the war such details were made when the complement of men with the navy was insufficient for the duty before them. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
Edited by Colin