compromise

• POS: Noun, Verb (usu participle), Verb (transitive)
• HYPHEN: com=pro=mise

CIDE DICTIONARY

compromise, n. [F. compromis, fr. L. compromissum a mutual promise to abide by the decision of an arbiter, fr. compromittere to make such a promise; com- + promittere to promise. See Promise.].

•  A mutual agreement to refer matters in dispute to the decision of arbitrators.  Burrill.  [1913 Webster]
•  A settlement by arbitration or by mutual consent reached by concession on both sides; a reciprocal abatement of extreme demands or rights, resulting in an agreement.  [1913 Webster]

  "But basely yielded upon compromise
  That which his noble ancestors achieved with blows."  [1913 Webster]

  "All government, indeed every human benefit and enjoyment, every virtue and every prudent act, is founded on compromise and barter."  [1913 Webster]

  "An abhorrence of concession and compromise is a never failing characteristic of religious factions."  [1913 Webster]
•  A committal to something derogatory or objectionable; a prejudicial concession; a surrender; as, a compromise of character or right.  [1913 Webster]

  "I was determined not to accept any fine speeches, to the compromise of that sex the belonging to which was, after all, my strongest claim and title to them."  [1913 Webster]

compromise, v. t. [From Compromise, n.; cf. Compromit.].

•  To bind by mutual agreement; to agree.  [1913 Webster]

  "Laban and himself were compromised
  That all the eanlings which were streaked and pied
  Should fall as Jacob's hire."  [1913 Webster]
•  To adjust and settle by mutual concessions; to compound.  [1913 Webster]

  "The controversy may easily be compromised."  [1913 Webster]
•  To pledge by some act or declaration; to endanger the life, reputation, etc., of, by some act which can not be recalled; to expose to suspicion.  [1913 Webster]

  "To pardon all who had been compromised in the late disturbances."  [1913 Webster]

compromise, v. i. 

•  To agree; to accord.  [1913 Webster]
•  To make concession for conciliation and peace.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

compromise, n. & v.
--n.
1 the settlement of a dispute by mutual concession (reached a compromise by bargaining).
2 (often foll. by between) an intermediate state between conflicting opinions, actions, etc., reached by mutual concession or modification (a compromise between ideals and material necessity).
--v.
1 a intr. settle a dispute by mutual concession (compromised over the terms). b tr. archaic settle (a dispute) by mutual concession.
2 tr. bring into disrepute or danger esp. by indiscretion or folly.

Derivative

compromiser n. compromisingly adv.

Etymology

ME f. OF compromis f. LL compromissum neut. past part. of compromittere (as com-, promittere promise)

DEVIL DICTIONARY

compromise

n. Such an adjustment of conflicting interests as gives each adversary the satisfaction of thinking he has got what he ought not to have, and is deprived of nothing except what was justly his due.

THESAURUS

compromise

Eisenhower Doctrine, Monroe Doctrine, Nixon Doctrine, Truman Doctrine, accommodate, accommodation, adjust, adjustment, agreement, amends, appeasement, arrange matters, arrangement, atonement, balance of power, bargain, blast, blight, bring to terms, bring together, brinkmanship, center, coexistence, colonialism, compact, compensation, compose, composition, composition of differences, compound, containment, contract, cool, cop out, detente, deterrence, diplomacy, diplomatic, diplomatics, dollar diplomacy, dollar imperialism, duck responsibility, encounter danger, endanger, evade responsibility, expansionism, expiation, expiatory offering, expose, fence, fix up, foreign affairs, foreign policy, gamble, gamble with, give and take, give way, go fifty-fifty, golden mean, good-neighbor policy, half measures, half-and-half measures, halfway measures, happy medium, harmonize, hazard, heal the breach, imperialism, imperil, incur danger, indemnification, indemnity, internationalism, isolationism, jeopard, jeopardize, jeopardy, lay open, make a deal, make an adjustment, make concessions, making amends, making good, making right, making up, manifest destiny, mar, mean, mediate, medium, meet halfway, menace, middle course, middle ground, middle way, militarism, moderateness, moderation, nationalism, neocolonialism, neutral ground, neutralism, nonresistance, open door, open-door policy, pact, patch things up, peace offensive, peace offering, peaceful coexistence, peril, piaculum, play havoc with, play politics, preparedness, propitiation, put in danger, put in jeopardy, put in tune, queer, quittance, reach a compromise, reclamation, recompense, reconcile, redemption, redress, reparation, resolution, resolve, restitution, restore harmony, reunite, risk, ruin, satisfaction, settle, settle differences, settlement, shirt-sleeve diplomacy, shuttle diplomacy, smooth it over, spheres of influence, split the difference, spoil, squaring, strike a balance, strike a bargain, surrender, take the mean, terms, the big stick, tough policy, understanding, via media, weave peace between, world politics, yield

ROGET THESAURUS

compromise

Irresolution

VB be irresolute, hang in suspense, keep in suspense, leave "ad referendum", think twice about, pause, dawdle, remain neuter, dillydally, hesitate, boggle, hover, dacker, hum and haw, demur, not know one's own mind, debate, balance, dally with, coquet with, will and will not, chaser-balancer, go halfway, compromise, make a compromise, be thrown off one's balance, stagger like a drunken man, be afraid, let 'I dare not' wait upon 'I would', falter, waver vacillate, change, retract, fluctuate, pendulate, alternate, keep off and on, play fast and loose, blow hot and cold, shuffle, palter, blink, trim.

Mid-course

N mid-course, middle course, midcourse, mean, middle, juste milieu, mezzo termine, golden mean, ariston metron, aurea mediocritas, straight, straight course, straight path, short cut, cross cut, great circle sailing, neutrality, half measure, half and half measures, compromise, straight, medium tenuere beati.

VB keep in a middle course, preserve a middle course, preserve an even course, go straight, go halfway, compromise, make a compromise.

Mean

N mean, average, median, mode, balance, medium, mediocrity, generality, golden mean middle, compromise, middle course, middle state, neutrality, mediocrity, least common denominator, mean, intermediate, middle, average, neutral, mediocre, middle-class, commonplace, on an average, in the long run, taking one with another, taking all things together, taking it for all in all, communibus annis, in round numbers, medium tenuere beati.

Compensation

N compensation, equation, commutation, indemnification, compromise, neutralization, nullification, counteraction, reaction, measure for measure, retaliation, equalization, robbing Peter to pay Paul, set-off, offset, make-weight, casting-weight, counterpoise, ballast, indemnity, equivalent, quid pro quo, bribe, hush money, amends, counterbalance, counterclaim, cross-debt, cross- demand, compensating, compensatory, countervailing, in the opposite scale, equivalent, in return, in consideration, but, however, yet, still, notwithstanding, nevertheless, nathless, none the less, although, though, albeit, howbeit, mauger, at all events, at any rate, be that as it may, for all that, even so, on the other, hand, at the same time, quoad minus, quand meme, however that may be, after all is said and done, taking one thing with another, light is mingled with the gloom, every dark cloud has a silver lining, primo avulso non deficit alter, saepe creat molles aspera spina rosas.

Danger

VB be in danger, be exposed to danger, run into danger, incur danger, encounter danger, run a risk, lay oneself open to, lean on a broken reed, trust to a broken reed, feel the ground sliding from under one, have to run for it, have the chances against one, have the odds against one, face long odds, be in deep trouble, be between a rock and a hard place, hang by a thread, totter, sleep on a volcano, stand on a volcano, sit on a barrel of gunpowder, live in a glass house, bring in danger, place in danger, put in danger, place in jeopardy, put in jeopardy, endanger, expose to danger, imperil, jeopard, jeopardize, compromise, sail too near the wind, adventure, risk, hazard, venture, stake, set at hazard, run the gauntlet, engage in a forlorn hope, threaten danger, run one hard, lay a trap for.

Pacification

N pacification, conciliation, reconciliation, reconcilement, shaking of hands, accommodation, arrangement, adjustment, terms, compromise, amnesty, deed of release, peace offering, olive branch, calumet of peace, preliminaries of peace, truce, armistice, suspension of arms, suspension of hostilities, stand-down, breathing time, convention, modus vivendi, flag of truce, white flag, parlementaire, cartel, hollow truce, pax in bello, drawn battle, conciliatory, composing, pacified, requiescat in pace.

Mediation

N mediation, mediatorship, mediatization, intervention, interposition, interference, intermeddling, intercession, arbitration, flag of truce, good offices, peace offering, parley, negotiation, diplomatics, diplomacy, compromise, mediator, arbitrator, intercessor, peacemaker, makepeace, negotiator, go-between, diplomatist, moderator, propitiator, umpire, mediatory.

Compact

N compact, contract, agreement, bargain, affidation, pact, paction, bond, covenant, indenture, bundobast, deal, stipulation, settlement, convention, compromise, cartel, Protocol, treaty, concordat, Zollverein, Sonderbund, charter, Magna Charta, Progmatic Sanction, customs union, free trade region, General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, GATT, most favored nation status, negotiation, diplomacy, negotiator, ratification, completion, signature, seal, sigil, signet, agreed, conventional, under hand and seal, caveat emptor.

VB contract, covenant, agree for, engage, treat, negotiate, stipulate, make terms, bargain, make a bargain, strike a bargain, come to terms, come to an understanding, compromise, set at rest, close, close with, conclude, complete, settle, confirm, ratify, clench, subscribe, underwrite, endorse, indorse, put the seal to, sign, seal, indent, take one at one's word, bargain by inch of candle.

Compromise

N compromise, commutation, composition, middle term, mezzo termine, compensation, abatement of differences, adjustment, mutual concession.

VB compromise, commute, compound, take the mean, split the difference, meet one halfway, give and take, come to terms, submit to arbitration, abide by arbitration, patch up, bridge over, arrange, straighten out, adjust, differences, agree, make the best of, make a virtue of necessity, take the will for the deed.

Atonement

N atonement, reparation, compromise, composition, compensation, quittance, quits, expiation, redemption, reclamation, conciliation, propitiation, indemnification, redress, amends, apology, amende honorable, satisfaction, peace offering, sin offering, burnt offering, scapegoat, sacrifice, penance, fasting, maceration, sackcloth and ashes, white sheet, shrift, flagellation, lustration, purgation, purgatory.