complement

complement
noun

a thing that contributes extra or contrasting features to something else in such a way as to improve or emphasize its quality
补充，增强
local ales provide the perfect complement to fine food.
当地的麦芽酒是精美食物的完美补充。
[in sing.]a number or quantity of something, especially that required to make a group complete
足数；补足物；补足量
at the moment we have a full complement of staff.
目前我们人员满额。
■the number of people required to crew a ship
（船员的）编制名额，定员
almost half the ship's complement of 322 were wounded.
该船在编的322人中几乎有一半受了伤。
■(Geometry)the amount in degrees by which a given angle is less than 90°
(几何)余角
■(Mathematics)the members of a set or class that are not members of a given subset
(数)余（数）；补（数）
(Grammar)(语法)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
补语
■(in systemic grammar) an adjective or noun that has the same reference as either the subject (as mad in he is mad) or the object (as mad in he drove her mad or manager in they appointed him manager)
补足语
[mass noun](Physiology)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
(生理)补体，防御素

verb

[with obj.]contribute extra or contrasting features to (someone or something) in such a way as to improve or emphasize their qualities
补充，增强
a classic blazer complements a look that's smart or casual.
一件传统的颜色鲜艳的运动夹克能衬托时髦或休闲的外表。
■add to or make complete
增加；补足
the proposals complement the incentives already available.
这些建议增强了已有的动机。

常用词组
in her complement

(Heraldry)(of the moon) depicted as full
(纹章)（月亮）满的，满月的

派生
complemental
adjective
语源

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

用法

Complement and compliment (together with related words such as complementary and complimentary) are frequently confused. They are pronounced in the same way but have quite different meanings: as a verb complement means ‘add to (something) in a way that enhances or improves’, as in a classic blazer complements a look that's smart or casualwhile compliment means ‘admire and praise (someone) for something’, as in he complimented her on her appearanceMistakes are common, particularly where complimentary is meant but complementary is written, as in honeymooners receive complementary fruit and flowers

热门查询

考试词汇表