COMPLEMENTS | English Meaning, Definition, and Pronunciation

Looking for the meaning of the word COMPLEMENTS in English for both noun and verb forms from the Oxford Dictionary? Below, you can explore all possible meanings and definitions of COMPLEMENTS with sentence examples. You can also use the “AUDIO PRONUNCIATION” track to check the correct pronunciation in British English.

Word: Complement

Speech Type: Noun

Etymology:

late Middle English (in the sense ‘completion’): from Latin complementum, from complere ‘fill up’ (see complete). Compare with compliment

Audio Pronunciation:

Phonetic Spelling: ˈkɒmplɪm(ə)nt

Dialects: British English

Definition:

a thing that contributes extra features to something else in such a way as to improve or emphasize its quality

Short Definition:

added thing that improves another

Examples:

local ales provide the perfect complement to fine food

Definition:

a number or quantity of something, especially that required to make a group complete

Short Definition:

amount required to make group complete

Examples:

at the moment we have a full complement of staff

Definition:

one or more words, phrases, or clauses governed by a verb (or by a nominalization or a predicative adjective) that complete the meaning of the predicate. In generative grammar, all the constituents of a sentence that are governed by a verb form the complement.

Short Definition:

word or phrase that completes meaning of predicate

Definition:

a group of proteins present in blood plasma and tissue fluid which combine with an antigen–antibody complex to bring about the lysis of foreign cells.

Short Definition:

group of proteins in blood plasma and tissue fluid