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Webster 1913 Edition

Complaisant

Com′plai-sant

,
Adj.
[F.
complaisant
, p. pr. of
complaire
to acquiesce as a favor, fr. L.
complacere
. See
Complacent
.]
Desirous to please; courteous; obliging; compliant;
as, a
complaisant
gentleman
.
–
Com′plai-santˊly
,
adv.
–
Com′plai-santˊness
,
Noun.

Webster 1828 Edition

Complaisant

COMPLAISANT

,
Adj.
complazant. Pleasing in manners; courteous; obliging; desirous to please; as a complaisant gentleman.
2.
Civil; courteous; polite; as complaisant deportment or treatment.

Definition 2024

complaisant

complaisant

English

Adjective

complaisant ‎(comparative more complaisant, superlative most complaisant)

  1. compliant
  2. Willing to do what pleases others.
  3. (archaic) polite, showing respect

Usage notes

  • Complaisant should not be confused with its homophone, complacent.

Derived terms

Translations

French

Pronunciation

Verb

complaisant

  1. present participle of complaire

Adjective

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

  1. complaisant, obliging, eager to please

Etymology

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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