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complement - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'complement' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Complement [ v. t.]
- That which fills up or completes; the quantity or number required to fill a thing or make it complete.
- That which is required to supply a deficiency, or to complete a symmetrical whole.
- Full quantity, number, or amount; a complete set; completeness.
- A second quantity added to a given quantity to make it equal to a third given quantity.
- Something added for ornamentation; an accessory.
- The whole working force of a vessel.
- The interval wanting to complete the octave; -- the fourth is the complement of the fifth, the sixth of the third.
- A compliment.
- To supply a lack; to supplement.
- To compliment.

Meaning of 'complement' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . complement [ n]
Meaning (1):
- something added to complete or embellish or make perfect
Example in sentence:
  • a fine wine is a perfect complement to the dinner;
  • wild rice was served as an accompaniment to the main dish
Meaning (2):
- a complete number or quantity
Example in sentence:
  • a full complement
Meaning (3):
- number needed to make up a whole force
Example in sentence:
  • a full complement of workers
4 . complement [ v]
Meaning (4):
- make complete or perfect; supply what is wanting or form the complement to
Example in sentence:
  • I need some pepper to complement the sweet touch in the soup

Nearby Words:

com- coma comanches comart comate comatose comatous comatula comatulid comb

See 'complement' also in:

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Related Definitions

  • Complement
    Complement is a normal thermolabile protein constituent of blood serum that participates in antigen-antibody reactions.
  • Complement fixation
    Complement fixation is the binding of complement to an antigen-antibody complex so that the complement is unavailable for a subsequent

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