compromise

 
Pronunciation: /ˈkɒmprəmʌɪz/

noun

  • 1an agreement or settlement of a dispute that is reached by each side making concessions: eventually they reached a compromise [mass noun]: the secret of a happy marriage is compromise
  • an intermediate state between conflicting alternatives reached by mutual concession: a compromise between the freedom of the individual and the need to ensure orderly government
  • 2 [mass noun] the expedient acceptance of standards that are lower than is desirable: sexism should be tackled without compromise

verb

[no object]
  • 1settle a dispute by mutual concession: in the end we compromised and deferred the issue
  • 2expediently accept standards that are lower than is desirable: we were not prepared to compromise on safety
  • [with object] weaken or harm by accepting standards that are lower than is desirable: he won’t accept any decisions which compromise his principles
  • [with object] bring into disrepute or danger by indiscreet, foolish, or reckless behaviour: situations in which his troops could be compromised

Derivatives

compromiser

noun

Origin:

late Middle English (denoting mutual consent to arbitration): from Old French compromis, from late Latin compromissum 'a consent to arbitration', neuter past participle of compromittere, from com- 'together' + promittere (see promise)

Spelling help

Compromise cannot be spelled with an -ize ending.