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complacence

 - 3 dictionary results

com⋅pla⋅cen⋅cy

  [kuhm-pley-suhn-see]
Use complacence in a Sentence
–noun, plural -cies.
1. a feeling of quiet pleasure or security, often while unaware of some potential danger, defect, or the like; self-satisfaction or smug satisfaction with an existing situation, condition, etc.
2. Archaic.
a. friendly civility; inclination to please; complaisance.
b. a civil act.
Also, com⋅pla⋅cence  [kuhm-pley-suhns] .

Origin:
1635–45; < ML complacentia. See complacent, -cy
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To complacence
com·pla·cence   (kəm-plā'səns)   
n.  

  1. Contented self-satisfaction.

  2. Total lack of concern.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

complacence 
1436, from M.L. complacentia "satisfaction, pleasure," from L. complacentem (nom. complacens), prp. of complacere "to be very pleasing," from com- intensive prefix + placere "to please." Sense of "pleased with oneself" is 18c.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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