| 释义 |
com·pro·mise
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 |