a settlement of differences by mutual concessions; an agreement reached by adjustment of conflicting or opposing claims, principles, etc., by reciprocal modification of demands.
2.
the result of such a settlement.
3.
something intermediate between different things: The split-level is a compromise between a ranch house and a multistoried house.
4.
an endangering, esp. of reputation; exposure to danger, suspicion, etc.: a compromise of one's integrity.
–verb (used with object)
5.
to settle by a compromise.
6.
to expose or make vulnerable to danger, suspicion, scandal, etc.; jeopardize: a military oversight that compromised the nation's defenses.
7.
Obsolete.
a.
to bind by bargain or agreement.
b.
to bring to terms.
–verb (used without object)
8.
to make a compromise or compromises: The conflicting parties agreed to compromise.
9.
to make a dishonorable or shameful concession: He is too honorable to compromise with his principles.
[Origin: 1400–50; late ME < AF compromisse, MF compromis < L comprōmissum.See com-, promise]
A settlement of differences in which each side makes concessions.
The result of such a settlement.
Something that combines qualities or elements of different things: The incongruous design is a compromise between high tech and early American.
A concession to something detrimental or pejorative: a compromise of morality.
v.
com·pro·mised, com·pro·mis·ing, com·pro·mis·es
v.
intr.
To arrive at a settlement by making concessions.
To reduce the quality, value, or degree of something.
v.
tr.
To expose or make liable to danger, suspicion, or disrepute: a secret mission that was compromised and had to be abandoned; compromise one's standing in the community.
To reduce in quality, value, or degree; weaken or lower.
To impair by disease or injury: an immune system that was compromised by a virus.
To settle by mutual concessions: a dispute that was compromised.
[Middle English compromis, from Old French, from Latin comprōmissum, mutual promise, from neuter past participle of comprōmittere, to promise mutually : com-, com- + prōmittere, to promise; see promise.]
1426, "a joint promise to abide by an arbiter's decision," from M.Fr. compromis, from L. compromissus, pp. of compromittere "to make a mutual promise" (to abide by an arbiter's decision), from com- "together" + promittere (see promise). The main modern sense is from extension to the settlement itself (1479).
an accommodation in which both sides make concessions; "the newly elected congressmen rejected a compromise because they considered it 'business as usual'"
verb
1.
make a compromise; arrive at a compromise; "nobody will get everything he wants; we all must compromise"
2.
settle by concession
3.
expose or make liable to danger, suspicion, or disrepute; "The nuclear secrets of the state were compromised by the spy"
(a) settlement of differences in which each side gives up something it has previously demanded Example: We argued for a long time but finally arrived at a compromise.
Main Entry: 2compromise Function: noun : the condition of having been compromised :IMPAIRMENT <cardiovascular compromise> <patients at risk for airway compromise —David Jaffe et al>
Main Entry: 1com·pro·mise Pronunciation: 'käm-pr&-"mIz Function: transitive verb Inflected Forms: -mised;
-mis·ing : to cause the impairment of <certain chemical agents may compromise placental function> <a compromised immune system> <a seriously
compromised patient>
Main Entry: 2compromise Function: verb Inflected Forms: -mised; -mis·ing transitive verb : to resolve or dispose of by a compromise
<cases in which a dispute is compromised —E. A. Farnsworth and W. Federal Reporter Young> intransitive verb : to enter into a compromise
Com"pro*mise\, 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.]1. A mutual agreement to refer matters in dispute to the decision of arbitrators. [Obs.] --Burrill. 2. 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. But basely yielded upon compromise That which his noble ancestors achieved with blows. --Shak. All government, indeed every human benefit and enjoyment, every virtue and every prudent act, is founded on compromise and barter. --Burke. An abhorrence of concession and compromise is a never failing characteristic of religious factions. --Hallam. 3. A committal to something derogatory or objectionable; a prejudicial concession; a surrender; as, a compromise of character or right. 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. --Lamb.
Com"pro*mise\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Compromised; p. pr. & vb. n. Compromising.] [From Compromise, n.; cf. Compromit.]1. To bind by mutual agreement; to agree. [Obs.] Laban and himself were compromised That all the eanlings which were streaked and pied Should fall as Jacob's hire. --Shak. 2. To adjust and settle by mutual concessions; to compound. The controversy may easily be compromised. --Fuller. 3. 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. To pardon all who had been compromised in the late disturbances. --Motley.
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Audio Help [kom-pruh-mahyz] Pronunciation Key noun, verb, -mised, -mis·ing. 
