# compromise

Pronunciation: say "KOM-pruh-myz" US /ˈkɑmpɹəˌmaɪz/, UK /ˈkɒmpɹəˌmaɪz/, AUS /ˈkɔmpɹəˌmɑez/

## Noun

1. A settling of differences through arbitration or through mutual concessions, with each side giving up part of what it sought.
   - Simple: An agreement where each side gives up part of what they want to end a disagreement.
   - _After hours of talks, the two sides finally reached a compromise._
   - _A lasting compromise requires both parties to surrender something._
5. A damaging concession or surrender, giving up something in a way that harms one's principles or reputation.
   - Simple: A giving up of something important in a way that harms your honor or beliefs.
   - _Signing that deal felt like a compromise of everything she stood for._
   - _He saw the retreat as a shameful compromise of his principles._
7. A breach of a computer or network's rules in which sensitive information may have been disclosed or lost, or the disclosure or loss itself.
   - Simple: A break-in to a computer system where private information may have been seen or stolen.
   - _The security team detected a compromise affecting thousands of user accounts._
   - _Any compromise of patient records must be reported within seventy-two hours._

## Verb

2. To bring a dispute to settlement by adjusting positions through mutual concessions on both sides.
   - Simple: To settle a disagreement when each side gives up part of what they want.
   - _The negotiators agreed to compromise rather than let the deal collapse._
   - _Both parties were willing to compromise on the final price._
3. To settle on a course that falls between two opposing extremes rather than choosing either one.
   - Simple: To find a middle way between two opposite choices.
   - _When the budget got tight, the team had to compromise._
   - _Rather than insist on perfection, she learned to compromise._
4. To damage or weaken something so that it no longer works as well as it should.
   - Simple: To make something weaker or less able to work well.
   - _Skipping sleep can compromise your immune system._
   - _Cutting corners now will compromise the quality of the whole project._
6. To breach a security system, defeating its protections so that unauthorized access becomes possible.
   - Simple: To break into a computer or security system without permission.
   - _Hackers managed to compromise the company's main server overnight._
   - _A single weak password can compromise an entire network._
8. To commit or pledge someone by an act or declaration that cannot be taken back, endangering their life or reputation or exposing them to suspicion.
   - Simple: To put someone's safety or good name in danger, or make people suspect them, by something you cannot take back.
   - _One careless email could compromise her standing at the firm._
   - _Dozens of officers were compromised by the letters found in the minister's desk._

## Verb

9. To bind people to an arrangement through an agreement they make with one another. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: To tie people to a deal that they have all agreed to with each other.

## Origin

This word came from Middle French compromis, which traces back to Late Latin compromissum, originally "a mutual promise to refer a dispute to arbitration." It comes from Latin compromittere "to make a mutual promise to abide by an arbiter's decision," formed from com- ("together") and promittere ("to promise").

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/compromise (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).