complement

complement
noun 'kɒmplɪm(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 'kɒmplɪmɛnt 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’.

English new terms dictionary. 2014.

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  • complément — [ kɔ̃plemɑ̃ ] n. m. • 1308; de l a. fr. complir « remplir »; repris 1690; lat. complementum, de complere « remplir » 1 ♦ Ce qui s ajoute ou doit s ajouter à une chose pour qu elle soit complète. ⇒ achèvement, couronnement. Le complément est… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • complement — COMPLEMÉNT, complemente, s.n. 1. Ceea ce se adaugă la ceva spre a l întregi; complinire. 2. Parte secundară a propoziţiei care determină un verb, un adjectiv sau un adverb. 3. Substanţă de natură proteică prezentă în serul normal şi care… …   Dicționar Român

  • Complement — Complément Cette page d’homonymie répertorie les différents sujets et articles partageant un même nom …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Complément à 2 — Complément à deux Le complément à deux est une représentation binaire des entiers relatifs qui permet d effectuer les opérations arithmétiques usuelles naturellement. bit de signe 0 1 1 …   Wikipédia en Français

  • complement — COMPLEMENT. s. m. Ce qui s ajoute à une chose pour lui donner sa perfection. On dit en Théologie, Complément de béatitude, pour exprimer Le comble de la beatitude. La résurrection des corps sera le complément de la béatitude des Saints.Complément …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie Française 1798

  • complement — n Complement, supplement are comparable both as nouns meaning one thing that makes up for a want or deficiency in another thing and as verbs meaning to supply what is needed to make up for such a want or deficiency. Complement implies a… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Complement — Com ple*ment, n. [L. complementun: cf. F. compl[ e]ment. See {Complete}, v. t., and cf. {Compliment}.] 1. That which fills up or completes; the quantity or number required to fill a thing or make it complete. [1913 Webster] 2. That which is… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • complement — complement, compliment, complementary, complimentary 1. Complement and compliment each function as noun and verb; in pronunciation they are largely indistinguishable except that in the verbal function compliment has a fuller i sound in its second …   Modern English usage

  • Complement — (v. lat. Complementum), 1) Ergänzung; 2) (Math.), C. einer Größe ist im Allgemeinen das, was zu dieser addirt werden muß, um ein gewisses Ganze zu erhalten. Complement eines Winkels od. Kreisbogens ist beziehungsweise derjenige Winkel od. Bogen,… …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • complement — ► NOUN 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. 3) a word or words used with a verb to complete the meaning of the predicate (e.g. happy… …   English terms dictionary

  • Complement a un — Complément à un Le complément à un est l opération qui inverse la valeur de chacun des bits d un nombre binaire. Il est la première étape du complément à deux. Exemple Ce document provient de « Compl%C3%A9ment %C3%A0 un ». Catégorie :… …   Wikipédia en Français

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