complere

Complere is a Latin verb meaning to fill up, fill, complete, or fulfill. In classical Latin it appears with the principal parts compleo, complere, complevi, completum, and is typically used as a transitive verb taking a direct object in the accusative to indicate what is being filled or completed. The sense can be literal (filling a container) or figurative (fulfilling a duty or completing a task).

Etymology and related forms: The form is built from the prefix com- plus the root ple- (to fill), and is related to English complete and complement. The neuter perfect participle completus and the noun completio are common derivatives, signaling that something has been filled or brought to completion. The supine or verbal participle form completum also appears in various constructions.

Usage notes: Latin uses complere in a range of tenses and voices by applying standard endings to the stem. The adjective completus means “filled” or “complete,” and completio denotes “completion” or “fulfillment.” The verb appears in both concrete and abstract contexts, from filling a vessel to meeting a requirement or finishing a project.

English connections: The verb and its participial forms gave rise to English words such as complete, completion, and complement (the latter from a related Latin noun complementum). These terms share the core sense of bringing something to fullness or adequacy.

See also: Completion; Complete; Complement; Completus.