complaisant

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English

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Etymology

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From French complaisant (willing to please), from complaire, from Latin complacēre, present active infinitive of complaceō (please well), from com- (with) + placeō (please).

Pronunciation

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Adjective

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complaisant (comparative more complaisant, superlative most complaisant)

  1. Compliant.
  2. Willing to do what pleases others; obliging; agreeable.
    Synonym: amenable
    Coordinate term: (stronger and more negative) obsequious
  3. (archaic) Polite; showing respect.
    • 1726 October 28, [Jonathan Swift], “The Country Described. []”, in Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. [] [Gulliver’s Travels], volume I, London: [] Benj[amin] Motte, [], →OCLC, part II (A Voyage to Brobdingnag), pages 222–223:
      The People who had often heard of me, were very curious to croud about the Sedan, and the Girl was complaiſant enough to make the Bearers ſtop, and to take me in her Hand that I might be conveniently ſeen.

Usage notes

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Derived terms

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Translations

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French

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Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /kɔ̃.plɛ.zɑ̃/ ~ /kɔ̃.ple.zɑ̃/
  • Audio:(file)

Participle

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complaisant

  1. present participle of complaire

Adjective

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complaisant (feminine complaisante, masculine plural complaisants, feminine plural complaisantes)

  1. complaisant, obliging, eager to please

Derived terms

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Further reading

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