compromise English · revision 7258

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1426|origins=la compromitto}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈkɒmpɹəˌmaɪz/ ''(UK)''; /ˈkɑmpɹəˌmaɪz/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|frm|compromis]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from Latin [[m|la|compromissum|t=a mutual promise to abide by an arbiter's decision]], the neuter past participle of [[m|la|compromitto|alt=comprōmittere|t=to make a mutual promise]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from [[m|la|com-|t=together]] and [[m|la|promitto|alt=prōmittere|t=to promise]], from pro, before, and mittere, to send (see [[mission]]).^(Etymonline)^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A joint promise to abide by an arbiter's decision: 1426, in the Rolls of Parliament.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) Etymonline dates it to the early 15th century.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A settlement made by an arbiter is from 1479.^(OED 1989) A coming to terms by mutual concessions is from the mid-15th century, by extension to the settlement itself,^(Etymonline) and in the OED from 1516.^(OED 1989) The result of such an agreement is from the 1510s.^(Etymonline) The verb, to settle by concessions, is mid-15th-century,^(Etymonline) and to expose to risk or endanger the reputation of is from the 1690s.^(Etymonline) The same sense was formerly expressed by compromit (early 15th century).^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1426 – a joint promise to accept arbitration.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * mid-15th century – mutual concession; the verb.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1479 – an arbiter's settlement.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1690s – to endanger.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # An agreement reached by each side making concessions.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Something midway between two different things.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To settle a dispute by mutual concessions.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To accept standards lower than is desirable.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To expose to danger or suspicion; to weaken: ''compromise security''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[compromiser]]

+ * [[compromisingly]]

+ * [[procompromise]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[promise]]

+ * [[mission]]

+ * [[emit]]

+ * [[compromising]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}