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n. 1. a. A settlement of differences in which each side makes concessions. b. The result of such a settlement. 2. Something that combines qualities or elements of different things: The incongruous design is a compromise between high tech and early American. 3. A weakening or reduction of one's principles or standards: a compromise of morality. 4. Impairment, as by disease or injury: physiological compromise. v. com·pro·mised, com·pro·mis·ing, com·pro·mis·es v.intr. 1. To arrive at a settlement by making concessions. 2. To reduce the quality, value, or degree of something, such as one's ideals. v.tr. 1. a. To expose or make liable to danger, suspicion, or disrepute: a secret mission that was compromised and had to be abandoned. b. To reduce in quality, value, or degree; weaken or lower: Don't compromise your standards. 2. To impair, as by disease or injury: an immune system that was compromised by a virus. 3. 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.] compro·mis′er n. |
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