complement - WordReference.com Dictionary of English

WordReference.com English Dictionary

complement:

in Spanish | in French | in Italian
English synonyms| in context | images

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
complement

▶noun /ˈkɒmplɪm(ə)nt/

1 a thing that contributes extra features to something else so as to enhance or improve it.

2 the number or quantity that makes something complete: we have a full complement of staff.

3 Grammar a word, phrase, or clause governed by a verb that completes the meaning of the predicate.
■ an adjective or noun that has the same reference as either the subject or object (as mad in he is mad or he drove her mad).

4 Physiology a system of proteins present in blood plasma which combines with antigen–antibody complexes and phagocytes to bring about the destruction of microorganisms and foreign cells.

5 Geometry the amount by which a given angle is less than 90°.

▶verb /ˈkɒmplɪmɛnt/ add to (something) in a way that enhances or improves.

– derivatives
complemental adjective.

– origin ME (in the sense ‘completion’): from L. complementum, from complere (see complete).

usage: Complement and compliment (together with related words such as complementary and complimentary) are frequently confused. Complement means ‘add to in a way that enhances or improves’, while compliment means ‘politely congratulate or praise’.

'complement' also found in these Oxford entries:

accessory - accompany - be - co- - companion - compliment - copula - disomy - factitive - monosomy - proteome - strength

Forum discussions with the word(s) "complement" in the title:

"What" complement or subject?
Adjective Complement
An object complement
attribute or object complement?
Complement as adjective
Complement doesn’t do any good to our language improvement.
Complement or Adjunct
complement used right in this context?
complete/complement
compliment [complement] to
feel + object + complement
In the clause after "take", can adjective be used as a complement?
indirect object and object complement
Infinitive Complement
Locative complement
make and past participle as a objective complement
Noun Complement
Object and complement with to-infinitives
object and objective complement
Reduced relative clause or infinitive complement?
reply to a complement/ It's yours [compliment]
Subject + Verb + Object + Modifier/Complement?
subject complement Vs. predicate nominative
Subject/complement-verb agreement: The problem is/are
that/who as complement in relative pronoun clause
The colors complement the mood.
the position of the Prepostional Phrase as a complement
they = an essential complement ??
Verb + non-finite complement
Verb to like + Object Complement
more...

Look up "complement" at Merriam-Webster
Look up "complement" at dictionary.com

Let Google and FB know that you like WR!

Report an inappropriate ad.