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Webster 1913 Edition
Complaisance
Com′plai-sanceˊ
(?; 277)
, Noun.
Disposition to please or oblige; obliging compliance with the wishes of others; a deportment indicative of a desire to please; courtesy; civility.
These [ladies] . . . are by the just
complaisance
and gallantry of our nation the most powerful part of our people. Addison.
Syn. – Civility; courtesy; urbanity; suavity; affability; good breeding.
Webster 1828 Edition
Complaisance
COMPLAISANCE
, n.1.
A pleasing deportment; courtesy; that manner of address and behavior in social intercourse which gives pleasure; civility; obliging condescension; kind and affable reception and treatment of guests; exterior acts of civility; as, the gentleman received us with complaisance.2.
Condescension; obliging compliance with the wishes or humors of others.In complaisance poor Cupid mourned.
3.
Desire of pleasing; disposition to oblige; the principle for the act.Your complaisance will not permit your guests to be incommoded.
Definition 2024
complaisance
complaisance
English
Alternative forms
- complaisaunce (obsolete, rare)
Noun
complaisance (countable and uncountable, plural complaisances)
- The quality of being complaisant, amiable or agreeable.
- 1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling
- It is no wonder that in an age when this kind of merit is so little in fashion, and so slenderly provided for, persons possessed of it should very eagerly flock to a place where they were sure of being received with great complaisance; indeed, where they might enjoy almost the same advantages of a liberal fortune as if they were entitled to it in their own right.
- 1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling
Translations
quality of being complaisant
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