Complacency

Complacency
Complacence Com*pla"cence, Complacency Com*pla"cen*cy, n. [LL. complacentia: cf. F. complaisance. See {Complacent}, and cf. {Complaisance}.] 1. Calm contentment; satisfaction; gratification. [1913 Webster]

The inward complacence we find in acting reasonably and virtuously. --Atterbury. [1913 Webster]

Others proclaim the infirmities of a great man with satisfaction and complacency, if they discover none of the like in themselves. --Addison. [1913 Webster]

2. The cause of pleasure or joy. ``O thou, my sole complacence.'' --Milton. [1913 Webster]

3. The manifestation of contentment or satisfaction; good nature; kindness; civility; affability. [1913 Webster]

Complacency, and truth, and manly sweetness, Dwell ever on his tongue, and smooth his thoughts. --Addison. [1913 Webster]

With mean complacence ne'er betray your trust. --Pope. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • complacency — 1640s, from same source as COMPLACENCE (Cf. complacence) but with the later form of the suffix (see CY (Cf. cy)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • complacency — [kəm plā′sənskəm plā′sən sē] n. [LL complacentia < L complacens: see COMPLACENT] quiet satisfaction; contentment; often, specif., self satisfaction, or smugness: also complacence [kəm plā′səns] …   English World dictionary

  • complacency — [[t]kəmple͟ɪs(ə)nsi[/t]] N UNCOUNT (disapproval) Complacency is being complacent about a situation. ...a worrying level of complacency about the risks of infection from AIDS... She warned that there was no room for complacency on inflation …   English dictionary

  • complacency — n. complacency about stewards * * * [kəm pleɪs(ə)nsɪ] towards complacency about …   Combinatory dictionary

  • complacency — com|pla|cen|cy [kəmˈpleısənsi] n [U] a feeling of satisfaction with a situation or with what you have achieved, so that you stop trying to improve or change things used to show disapproval ▪ Doctors have warned against complacency in fighting… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • complacency — noun (plural cies) Date: 1650 1. self satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies 2. an instance of complacency …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • complacency — noun a) A feeling of contented self satisfaction, especially when unaware of upcoming trouble. There was something pathetic in his concentration as if his complacency, more acute than of old, was not enough to him any more. When, almost… …   Wiktionary

  • complacency — noun (U) a feeling of satisfaction with what you have achieved which makes you stop trying to improve or change things: There are no grounds for complacency in today s competitive environment …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • complacency — UK [kəmˈpleɪs(ə)nsɪ] / US noun [uncountable] a complacent attitude or way of behaving The government has been accused of complacency over food poisoning outbreaks …   English dictionary

  • complacency — complacent ► ADJECTIVE ▪ smug and uncritically satisfied with oneself or one s achievements. DERIVATIVES complacency (also complacence) noun complacently adverb. ORIGIN from Latin complacere to please …   English terms dictionary

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