Library / English Dictionary

COMPLIMENTS

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

(usually plural) a polite expression of desire for someone's welfare

Example:

my best wishes

Synonyms:

compliments; regard; wish

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("compliments" is a kind of...):

greeting; salutation ((usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting))

Domain usage:

plural; plural form (the form of a word that is used to denote more than one)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Present simple (third person singular) of the verb compliment

Credits

 Context examples: 

Elinor scolded him, harshly as ladies always scold the imprudence which compliments themselves, for having spent so much time with them at Norland, when he must have felt his own inconstancy.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

But you must give my compliments to him.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

How are the civilities and compliments of every day to be related as they ought to be, unless noted down every evening in a journal?

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

They began with many compliments upon my valour and generosity, invited me to that kingdom in the emperor their master’s name, and desired me to show them some proofs of my prodigious strength, of which they had heard so many wonders; wherein I readily obliged them, but shall not trouble the reader with the particulars.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

I cannot remain to discuss the matter with the police, but I should be exceedingly obliged, Mr. Roundhay, if you would give the inspector my compliments and direct his attention to the bedroom window and to the sitting-room lamp.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Wadley sent a message: 'The President of the Zoological Institute presents his compliments to Professor Challenger, and would take it as a personal favor if he would do them the honor to come to their next meeting.'

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

So a tray was fitted out before anyone began, and taken up with the cook's compliments.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Pray say so, with my compliments.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

Then I was sent up to “Captain Hopkins” in the room overhead, with Mr. Micawber's compliments, and I was his young friend, and would Captain Hopkins lend me a knife and fork.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

A lavender-water bath may restore me to a condition in which I may fitly pay my compliments to a lady.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)