First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1supplement
noun sup·ple·ment \ˈsə-plə-mənt\
: something that is added to something else in order to make it complete
: an extra part that is added to a book or newspaper
: an amount of money that must be paid in addition to the regular price
Full Definition of SUPPLEMENT
1
a : something that completes or makes an addition b : dietary supplement
2
: a part added to or issued as a continuation of a book or periodical to correct errors or make additions
3
: an angle or arc that when added to a given angle or arc equals 180°
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Examples of SUPPLEMENT
- the supplement to the encyclopedia
- First-class accommodation is available for a supplement.
Origin of SUPPLEMENT
Middle English, from Latin supplementum, from supplēre to fill up, complete — more at supply
2supplement
transitive verb sup·ple·ment \ˈsə-plə-ˌment\
: to add something to (something) in order to make it complete
Full Definition of SUPPLEMENT
: to add or serve as a supplement to <does odd jobs to supplement his income>
— sup·ple·men·ta·tion \ˌsə-plə-ˌmen-ˈtā-shən, -mən-\ noun
— sup·ple·ment·er \ˈsə-plə-ˌmen-tər\ noun
Examples of SUPPLEMENT
- She began supplementing her diet with vitamins.
First Known Use of SUPPLEMENT
1749
SUPPLEMENT Defined for Kids
1supplement
noun sup·ple·ment \ˈsə-plə-mənt\
Definition of SUPPLEMENT for Kids
: something that supplies what is needed or adds to something else <a food supplement>
Word Root of SUPPLEMENT
The Latin word plēre, meaning “to fill,” gives us the root ple. Words from the Latin plēre have something to do with filling or being full. Anything replete with something is full of that particular thing or quality. Something complete is totally full and finished. To deplete is to lessen the amount of something that was once full. A supplement is something that fills in something that is missing.
2supplement
verb sup·ple·ment \ˈsə-plə-ˌment\
sup·ple·ment·edsup·ple·ment·ing
Definition of SUPPLEMENT for Kids
: to add to : complete <Many workers supplement their incomes by doing odd jobs.>
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