I. ˈkämprəˌmīz noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French compromis, from Latin compromissum, from neuter of compromissus, past participle of compromittere to promise mutually to abide by the decision of an arbiter, from com- + promittere to promise — more at promise
1. obsolete : an agreement to refer matters in dispute to arbitrators
2.
a.
(1) obsolete : settlement of a dispute by means of an arbiter
(2) : the delegation to one or more responsible persons of the right to elect — used especially of papal elections
b. : a settlement by arbitration or by consent reached by mutual concessions : a reciprocal abatement of extreme demands or rights resulting in an agreement : composition
3. : a committal to something derogatory, hazardous, or objectionable : a prejudicial concession : surrender
a compromise of character
4. : the result or embodiment of concession or adjustment
hand down a compromise
especially : a thing intermediate between or blending qualities of two different things
a compromise solution
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
transitive verb
1. obsolete
a. of an arbiter : to adjust or settle (a difference) between parties
b. : to bind by mutual agreement
2. of factions : to adjust or settle by partial mutual relinquishment of principles, position, or claims : settle by coming to terms
husband and wife compromised their differences
3.
a. : to put in jeopardy : endanger (as life, reputation, or dignity) by some act that cannot be recalled : expose to suspicion, discredit, or mischief
compromise one's conscience
compromise national security
b. : to cause (a person) embarrassment, humiliation, or shame by improper erotic advances or by allowing the suspicion of such to arise
in those days a girl was compromised if she danced more than twice with the same man
c. : to reveal or expose to unauthorized persons and especially to an enemy (the nature, details, or workings of classified matter or a classified device)
capture of a number of unenciphered messages will compromise the cryptographic system
intransitive verb
1. : to come to a settlement or agreement by mutual concession
union and employer agreed to compromise
2. : to make a shameful or disreputable concession
rather die than compromise
— often used with with
gave up a lucrative editorial position … rather than compromise with his principles — H.L.Smith b.1906
III. transitive verb
: to cause the impairment of
a compromised immune system
a seriously compromised patient
intransitive verb
: to find or follow a way between extremes