Dictionary of troublesome word. Bill Bryson. 2013.
complacent, complaisant — The first means self satisfied, contented to the point of smugness. The second means affable and cheerfully obliging. If you are complacent, you are pleased with yourself. If you are complaisant, you wish to please others. Both words come from … Dictionary of troublesome word
complacent — complacent, complaisant have the same pronunciation apart from s in the first and z in the second. Both are derived from the Latin word complacere ‘to please’. Complacent means ‘calmly confident’ and normally has unfavourable connotations, i.e.… … Modern English usage
complaisant — complacent, complaisant have the same pronunciation apart from s in the first and z in the second. Both are derived from the Latin word complacere ‘to please’. Complacent means ‘calmly confident’ and normally has unfavourable connotations, i.e.… … Modern English usage
Complacent — Com*pla cent, a. [L. complacens very pleasing, p. pr. of complacere; com + placere to please: cf. F. complaisant. See {Please} and cf. {Complaisant}.] Self satisfied; contented; kindly; as, a complacent temper; a complacent smile. [1913 Webster]… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
complacent — , complaisant The first means self satisfied, contented to the point of smugness. The second means affable and cheerfully obliging. If you are complacent, you are pleased with yourself. If you are complaisant, you wish to please others. Both… … Bryson’s dictionary for writers and editors
complaisant — 1640s, from Fr. complaisant (16c.), in M.Fr., pleasing, prp. of complaire acquiesce to please, from L. complacere be very pleasing (see COMPLACENT (Cf. complacent), with which it overlapped till mid 19c.). Possibly influenced in French by O.Fr.… … Etymology dictionary
Complaisant — Com plai*sant, a. [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. [1913 Webster] There are to whom my satire… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
complacent — I adjective at ease, carefree, complaisant, compilable, compliant, composed, content, contented, fulfilled, gratified, peaceful of mind, placid, pleased, qui sibi placet, reposeful, resigned, satisfied, self content, self satisfied, serene, smug … Law dictionary
complacent — [kəm plā′sənt] adj. [L complacens, prp. of complacere, to be very pleasing < com , intens. + placere, to PLEASE] 1. satisfied; esp., self satisfied, or smug 2. affable; complaisant complacently adv … English World dictionary
complaisant — index complacent, obedient, obeisant, permissive, yielding Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 … Law dictionary
