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Conceit vs Compliment - What's the difference?

conceit | compliment |

In uncountable|lang=en terms the difference between conceit and compliment

is that conceit is (uncountable) overly high self-esteem; vain pride; hubris while compliment is (uncountable) complimentary language; courtesy, flattery.

As nouns the difference between conceit and compliment

is that conceit is (obsolete) something conceived in the mind; an idea, a thought while compliment is an expression of praise, congratulation, encouragement, or respect.

As verbs the difference between conceit and compliment

is that conceit is (obsolete) to form an idea; to think while compliment is (ambitransitive) to pay a compliment (to); to express a favorable opinion (of).

conceit

English

Alternative forms

* (obsolete)

Noun

  • (obsolete) Something conceived in the mind; an idea, a thought.
  • * Francis Bacon
  • In laughing, there ever procedeth a conceit of somewhat ridiculous.
  • * Bible, Proverbs xxvi. 12
  • a man wise in his own conceit
  • The faculty of conceiving ideas; mental faculty; apprehension.
  • a man of quick conceit
  • * Sir Philip Sidney
  • How often, alas! did her eyes say unto me that they loved! and yet I, not looking for such a matter, had not my conceit open to understand them.
  • Quickness of apprehension; active imagination; lively fancy.
  • * Shakespeare
  • His wit's as thick as Tewksbury mustard; there is no more conceit in him than is in a mallet.
  • (obsolete) Opinion, (neutral) judgment.
  • * 1499 , (John Skelton), The Bowge of Courte :
  • By him that me boughte, than quod Dysdayne, / I wonder sore he is in suche cenceyte .
  • (countable) A novel or fanciful idea; a whim.
  • * L'Estrange
  • On his way to the gibbet, a freak took him in the head to go off with a conceit .
  • * Alexander Pope
  • Some to conceit alone their works confine, / And glittering thoughts struck out at every line.
  • * Dryden
  • Tasso is full of conceits which are not only below the dignity of heroic verse but contrary to its nature.
  • (countable, rhetoric, literature) An ingenious expression or metaphorical idea, especially in extended form or used as a literary or rhetorical device.
  • (uncountable) Overly high self-esteem; vain pride; hubris.
  • * Cotton
  • Plumed with conceit he calls aloud.
  • Design; pattern.
  • (Shakespeare)

    Derived terms

    * conceited * conceitedly * conceitedness * self-conceit

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (obsolete) To form an idea; to think.
  • * 1643 : , The Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce
  • Those whose vulgar apprehensions conceit but low of matrimonial purposes.
  • (obsolete) To conceive.
  • * South
  • The strong, by conceiting themselves weak, are therebly rendered as inactive as if they really were so.
  • * Shakespeare
  • One of two bad ways you must conceit me, / Either a coward or a flatterer.

    compliment

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl), from (etyl) complire, from (etyl) complere

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An expression of praise, congratulation, encouragement, or respect.
  • * Milton
  • Tedious waste of time, to sit and hear / So many hollow compliments and lies.
  • * Cowper
  • many a compliment politely penned
  • (uncountable) Complimentary language; courtesy, flattery.
  • *
  • This accomplished man condescended to think of a young girl, and take the pains to talk to her, not with absurd compliment , but with an appeal to her understanding, and sometimes with instructive correction.
  • Synonyms
    * See also
    Antonyms
    *insult
    Derived terms
    * backhanded compliment * left-handed compliment * with compliments

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl), from (etyl) complimento'' (etyl) ''cumplimiento'', from ''cumplir'', from ''complire'', from (etyl) ''complere .

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (ambitransitive) To pay a compliment (to); to express a favorable opinion (of).
  • * Prior
  • Monarchs should their inward soul disguise; / Should compliment their foes and shun their friends.
  • Antonyms
    *insult