Forms: α. 3 cumplie, cumpelie, 4 compli, -pleie; β. 3 compelin, 5 comepelyn, compelyn; 4–6 complyn, 4– complin, 7– compline (also 4–6 complene, 5 -plenne, 6 -pleyn, -playn, -pleine, -pling); γ 6–9 complines. [ME. cumplie, a. OF. conplie, complie, cumplie:—L. complēta (sc. hora), in mod.F. always pl. complies. The form compelin, found already in 13th c., later complin, has not been satisfactorily explained: the suggestion that it was an adjective form corresponding to a L. *complētīnus (cf. vespertīnus), is phonetically and analogically satisfactory, but still lacks evidence. In recent times, the plural complins, after the Fr. and L. and analogous to matins, has come in. The final e is modern and unhistorical.]
In Catholic ritual: The last service of the day, completing the services of the canonical hours; also, the hour of that service.
α. a. 1225. Ancr. R., 22. Biuore Cumplie, oðer efter Uhtsong, siggeð Dirige. Ibid., 22. Siggeð Credo mit te Pater Noster … efter Cumpelie.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 25609 (Cott.). At time o compli [Gött. compleie, Fairf. complin].
c. 1300. Beket, 2078. The Monekes songe Compli for hit was neȝ Eve.
β. a. 1225. Ancr. R., 22, note (MS. C.). Bifore Vchtsong & et Compelin; from ouþer Compelin oðer Preciosa beo iseid holdeð silence.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 16861 (Cott.). Fra þe middai to complin [v.r. the complene].
c. 1315. Shoreham, 88. At complyn hyt was y-bore To the beryynge, That noble corps of Jhesu Cryst.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Parson’s T., ¶ 312. General confession of Confiteor at masse … and at Complyn [v.r. Complyne, Compelyn].
c. 1420. Lay-Folks Mass-bk., 86. York Hours. At our of comepelyn, thei leiden hym in graue.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 164 b. In matyns, pryme, tierce, sext, none, euensonge and complyn.
1530. Palsgr., 182. Les complies … complayn, the hour of service that foloweth evynsong.
1782. Priestley, Corrupt. Chr., II. IX. 211. [They] only spake … between vespers and compline.
1832. Sir W. Palmer, Orig. Liturg. (1845), I. i. 204. Compline or completorium, was the last service of the day … first appointed by the celebrated abbot Benedict.
γ. 1599. Minsheu, Sp. Dict., Completas, complynes, a piece of popish seruice. Ibid. (1625–6), Ductor, Completes or Complines, a peece of seruice said in the euening, Euensong.
1805. Southey, Madoc in W., xv. Between the complines and the matin-bell.
1873–4. Dixon, Two Queens, II. XII. iii. 302. He was never missed from chapel during matins, mass, and complines.
b. attrib.
1450–1530. Myrr. our Ladye, 14. At complyn tyme, our lorde ihesu cryst … at euen prayed.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, XIII. Prol. 35. The lark discendis from the skyis hycht Singand hyr compling sang.
1612. Dekker, If it be not good, Wks. 1873, III. 285. Sing at prime, At euen-song, and at compline time.
1647. Crashaw, Poems, 178. The complin hour comes last, to call us to our own life’s funeral.
1866. Blunt, Annot. Com. Prayer, 506. This ancient Compline Psalm.
