Where does “complimentary” come from?

Complimentary comes from English compliment, from Spanish cumplimiento, from Latin complementum, ultimately from Latin complere meaning to complete or fulfill.

complimentary (English): In the nature of a compliment; Free; provided at...

Definitions

  1. In the nature of a compliment; Free; provided at...

Ancestry of “complimentary”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishcomplimentAn expression of praise, congratulation, or...
2Frenchcomplimentcompliment (positive comment)
3Italiancomplimentocongratulations; compliment; regards
4Spanishcumplimientocompliance; fulfillment, completion; formality
5Spanishcumplirto fulfil, to fulfill, to meet; to achieve, to...
6Old Spanishcumplir
7Latincomplerepresent active infinitive of compleō;...
8LatincompleoI fill up, fill full, fill out; make up,...
9Latincom-allomorph of con-
10Latincon-Used in compounds to indicate a being or bringing...
11Latincumwith, along with; at; -fold
12Old LatincomAlternative form of cum
13Proto-Italickomwith, along, at
14Proto-Indo-Europeanḱómbeside, near, by, with
15Proto-Indo-EuropeanḱeDeictic particle, here; Post-positional...
16Middle Englishkyt
17Germankittputty certain kinds of cement used for fixing e.g. window panes
18Old High Germankuti
19Proto-West Germanickwidugum, resin
20Proto-Germanickweduzresin
21Proto-Indo-Europeangʷet-resin, gum; to say, speak

Words derived from “complimentary

Every word from Proto-Indo-European gʷet-
complimentary — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer