complement

com·ple·ment (käm′plə mənt; for v., -ment′)

noun

that which completes or brings to perfection
the amount or number needed to fill or complete
a complete set; entirety
something added to complete a whole; either of two parts that complete each other
Gram. a word or group of words that, with the verb, completes the meaning and syntactic structure of the predicate (Ex.: foreman in “make him foreman,” paid in “he expects to get paid”)
Immunology a complex series of proteins in the blood plasma that acts with specific antibodies to destroy corresponding antigens, as bacteria or foreign proteins
Math.
1. the number of degrees that must be added to a given angle or arc to make it equal 90 degrees
2. the subset which must be added to any given subset to yield the original set
Music the difference between a given interval and the complete octave
Naut. all of a ship's personnel, including the officers, required to operate a ship

Etymology: ME < L complementum, that which fills up or completes < complere: see complete

transitive verb

to make complete; be a complement to

That which completes
supplement, correlative, counterpart; see addition 2, equal.
Full amount
totality, wholeness, entirety; see whole.
That which completes the number of something
balance, filler, rest; see remainder.

Object

activation: C5a functions also as a chemoattractant, inducing the migration of leukocytes into an area of complement activation.
lysis: The depletion is unaffected by cobra venom factor treatment and thus presumably does not depend on complement lysis ( Isaacs et al 1992 ).
outfit: Jones Bootmaker has established an enviable reputation as one of the leaders in fashion footwear with shoes to complement every outfit and every occasion.
ambiance: A quite unique ambiance complemented by high quality bedrooms and suites and attentive service make this hotel exceptionally good value.
decor: These taps are available in various styles to complement the decor and environment of the kitchen.
protein: Complement system proteins may attack the host's own tissues, causing inflammation and tissue damage.

Subject

tutorial: Simulations and animations also help with more challenging concepts and all of this is complemented by tutorial and laboratory sessions.
wine: Sicilian cuisine is a tantalizing display of exotic and colorful ingredients, perfectly complemented by the excellent wines of the island.
selection: Nowadays, the superior performance of Balmoral's beverage equipment is complemented by a selection of fine ingredients.
seminar: Each subject has a core of formal lectures, complemented by seminars, workshops and co-operative work.

Adjective modifier

full: The full complement is expected to total over 250.

Modifying Another Word

perfectly: The creamy, moist texture of the cheese is perfectly complemented by the gentle smoky flavor given by the smoking process.
nicely: Turned out to nicely complemented the homefor this cruise arrived at our.
usefully: Reading overall as a cultural and political analysis, it usefully complements and refreshes a field which will welcome this contribution to the debate.
ably: The use of strong photographic images ably complemented the design.

Present participle complement

exist: What is the best way to deploy fixed WiMAX networks to complement existing broadband services?

Preposition: by

selection: Nowadays, the superior performance of Balmoral's beverage equipment is complemented by a selection of fine ingredients.
tutorial: Simulations and animations also help with more challenging concepts and all of this is complemented by tutorial and laboratory sessions.
wine: Sicilian cuisine is a tantalizing display of exotic and colorful ingredients, perfectly complemented by the excellent wines of the island.
seminar: Each subject has a core of formal lectures, complemented by seminars, workshops and co-operative work.

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