complement Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a word or phrase used to complete a grammatical construction
  2. noun a complete number or quantity
    • a full complement
  3. noun number needed to make up a whole force
    full complement.
    • a full complement of workers
  4. noun something added to complete or embellish or make perfect
    accompaniment.
    • a fine wine is a perfect complement to the dinner
    • wild rice was served as an accompaniment to the main dish
  5. noun one of a series of enzymes in the blood serum that are part of the immune response
  6. noun either of two parts that mutually complete each other
  7. 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

WordNet


Com"ple*ment noun
Etymology
L. complementun: cf. F. complément. See Complete, v. t., and cf. Compliment.
Definitions
  1. That which fills up or completes; the quantity or number required to fill a thing or make it complete.
  2. That which is required to supply a deficiency, or to complete a symmetrical whole.
    History is the complement of poetry. Sir J. Stephen.
  3. Full quantity, number, or amount; a complete set; completeness.
    To exceed his complement and number appointed him which was one hundred and twenty persons. Hakluyt.
  4. (Math.) A second quantity added to a given quantity to make equal to a third given quantity.
  5. Something added for ornamentation; an accessory. Obs.
    Without vain art or curious complements. Spenser.
  6. (Naut.) The whole working force of a vessel.
  7. (Mus.) The interval wanting to complete the octave; -- the fourth is the complement of the fifth, the sixth of the third.
  8. A compliment. Obs. Shak.
Com"ple*ment transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To supply a lack; to supplement. R.
  2. To compliment. Obs. Jer. Taylor.

Webster 1913