compliment

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
compliment

▶noun /ˈkɒmplɪm(ə)nt/ a polite expression of praise or admiration.

■ (compliments) congratulations or praise expressed to someone.

■ (compliments) formal greetings sent as a message.

▶verb /ˈkɒmplɪmɛnt/ 

• 1 politely congratulate or praise.

• 2 (compliment someone with) archaic present someone with (something) as a mark of courtesy.

– phrases
return the compliment retaliate or respond in kind.
with one's compliments provided free of charge.

– origin C17: from Fr. compliment (n.), complimenter (v.), from Ital. complimento ‘fulfilment of the requirements of courtesy’, from L. complementum ‘completion, fulfilment’.

usage: On the confusion of compliment with complement, see complement.