Word Study
comply
CIDE DICTIONARY
comply, v. i. [Perh. formed fr. compliment, influenced by ply, pliant, which are of different origin: cf. It. complire to compliment, finish, suit. See Compliment, Complete.].
- To yield assent; to accord; agree, or acquiesce; to adapt one's self; to consent or conform; -- usually followed by
with . [1913 Webster]"Yet this be sure, in nothing to comply,
Scandalous or forbidden in our law." [1913 Webster]"They did servilely comply with the people in worshiping God by sensible images." [1913 Webster]"He that complies against his will
Is of his own opinion still." [1913 Webster] - To be ceremoniously courteous; to make one's compliments. Shak. [1913 Webster]
- To fulfill; to accomplish. Chapman. [1913 Webster]
- To infold; to embrace. [1913 Webster]"Seemed to comply,
Cloudlike, the daintie deitie." [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
comply, v.intr. (-ies, -ied) (often foll. by with) act in accordance (with a wish, command, etc.) (complied with her expectation; had no choice but to comply).
Etymology
It. complire f. Cat. complir, Sp. cumplir f. L complere fill up
THESAURUS
comply
abide by, accede, accept, acclaim, accommodate, accommodate with, accord, acquiesce, acquiesce in, act up to, adapt, adapt to, adhere to, adjust, adjust to, agree, agree to, agree with, applaud, assent, assimilate to, attend to, attend to orders, be agreeable, be faithful to, be guided by, be persuaded, bend, buy, cheer, chime in with, come around, come over, come round, come to, comply with, compose, concur, conform, conform to, consent, correct, correspond, defer to, discipline, do justice to, face the music, fall in with, fill, fit, follow, follow the book, fulfill, gear to, give the nod, go along with, go by, hail, harken to, harmonize, heed, hold by, hold with, in toto, keep, keep faith with, knock under, knuckle down, knuckle under, listen to, live up to, live with it, make conform, make good, mark, meet, mind, mold, nod, nod assent, not resist, obey, obey the rules, observe, receive, reconcile, rectify, regard, relent, resign, respect, rub off corners, satisfy, settle, shape, stay in line, straighten, submit, subscribe to, succumb, suit, swallow it, swallow the pill, take, take it, take kindly to, take orders, tally with, toe the line, vote for, welcome, yes, yield, yield assentROGET THESAURUS
comply
Obedience
VB be obedient, obey, bear obedience to, submit, comply, answer the helm, come at one's call, do one's bidding, do what one is told, do suit and service, attend to orders, serve faithfully, follow the lead of, follow to the world's end, serve, play second fiddle.For further exploring for "comply" in Webster Dictionary Online
