complement etymology

Etymology

The word "complement" comes from the Latin word "complere," which means "to fill up" or "to complete."

Meaning

In English, "complement" has two main meanings:

  1. Something that makes something else complete or perfect: For example, a hat can complement an outfit, or a side dish can complement a meal.
  2. A complete set or a group of things that are used together: For example, a complement of tools or a complement of soldiers.

Origin

The Latin word "complere" is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*ple-," which means "to fill" or "to be full." This root is also found in other English words such as "plenty" and "replete."

Usage

The word "complement" is commonly used in a variety of contexts, including:

  • Fashion and style: Complementary colors are colors that look good together and can enhance each other when paired.
  • Cooking: Complementary flavors are flavors that balance and enhance each other when combined.
  • Mathematics: The complement of a set is the set of elements that are not in the original set.
  • Music: Complementary chords are chords that sound harmonious together when played simultaneously.
  • Language: Complementary adjectives are adjectives that provide additional information or emphasis to the main adjective.

complement relate terms

  • compliment

    Etymology The word compliment is derived from the Latin word complere which means t

  • complement

    Etymology The word complement comes from the Latin word complere which means to fil

  • complete

    Etymology The word etymology comes from the Greek words étymos meaning true and

  • complementary

    Etymology Complementary From the Latin complementum meaning a filling up Meaning

  • complement

    Etymology The word complement comes from the Latin word complere which means to fil

  • Rebecca

    Etymology Hebrew רִבְקָה Rivqah Meaning To bind or to connect Entr

  • bound

    Etymology Old English bindan Proto Germanic bindaną Meaning To tie fasten

  • count

    Etymology The word count originates from the Old French word conte which itself deri

  • expression

    Etymology The word expression derives from the Latin word expressio which means to

  • counterpart

    Etymology The word counterpart is derived from the Middle English word countrepartie

  • balance

    Etymology Middle English balaunce from Old French balance from Latin bilanx bilance

  • company

    Etymology and Meaning of Company The word company is derived from the Late Latin word

  • construction

    Etymology The word construction derives from the Latin word construere which means

  • full

    Etymology Sanskrit pratipaksha prati against paksha side Meaning Opponen