complétèrent

Complétèrent is a verb form in the French language. It is the third-person plural passé simple indicative of the verb "compléter." The passé simple is a past tense used primarily in written narratives and formal contexts, especially in literature. "Compléter" itself means to complete, to finish, to supplement, or to make whole. Therefore, "complétèrent" translates to "they completed," "they finished," or "they supplemented." This verb form indicates an action that was finished in the past and is viewed as a completed event, often marking a specific point or stage in a narrative. For example, in a story, one might read "Les architectes complétèrent le bâtiment avant l'hiver," meaning "The architects completed the building before winter." The use of "complétèrent" signifies a completed action in the past, distinct from ongoing or habitual past actions often expressed with the imparfait tense. It is typically encountered in historical accounts, novels, and other literary works where a series of past events are being recounted.