compleat

American  

[kuhm-pleet] / kəmˈplit /

adjective

1. highly skilled and accomplished in all aspects; complete; total.

   the compleat actor, at home in comedy and tragedy.

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compleat British  

/ kəmˈpliːt /

adjective

1. an archaic spelling of complete, used esp in the titles of handbooks, in imitation of The Compleat Angler by Izaak Walton

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Etymology

Origin of compleat

1875–80; earlier spelling of complete, used phrasally in allusion to The Compleat Angler ( def. )

Example Sentences

Fortunately, aspiring mechanics of that era could turn to John Muir’s “How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive,” the quirky, self-published guide whose “for the Compleat Idiot” subtitle launched a whole industry of DIY books for ordinary mortals.

From The Wall Street Journal

The guidebook was titled Hixby’s Lavishly Illustrated Guide to London: Compleat with Historical Reference, Architectural Significance, and Literary Allusions, though Penelope preferred to call it the Hixby’s Guide, as there are only so many hours in a day.

From Literature

“Eighty.eight . . . eighty-nine . . . ninety. Well done! Now, come sit down and let us begin. Hixby’s Lavishly Illustrated Guide to London: Compleat with Historical Reference, Architectural Significance, and Literary Allusions,” she said, reading off the cover.

From Literature

“Because I now suspect this,” Penelope said as she laid a hand on the book’s cover, “is the only copy of Hixby’s Lavishly Illustrated Guide to London: Compleat with Historical Reference, Architectural Significance, and Literary Allusions in existence.”

From Literature

Dovedale and its river were immortalised by Izaak Walton in his famous 17th Century fishing book, The Compleat Angler.

From BBC