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COMPLAISANCE
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I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
A disposition or tendency to yield to the will of others
Synonyms:
complaisance; compliance; compliancy; deference; obligingness
Classified under:
Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects
Hypernyms ("complaisance" is a kind of...):
agreeability; agreeableness (a temperamental disposition to be agreeable)
Derivation:
complaisant (showing a cheerful willingness to do favors for others)
Context examples:
Was she right in refusing what was so warmly asked, so strongly wished for—what might be so essential to a scheme on which some of those to whom she owed the greatest complaisance had set their hearts?
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
This gallant young man, who seemed to love without feeling, and to recommend himself without complaisance, directly handed over the word to Miss Fairfax, and with a particular degree of sedate civility entreated her to study it.
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
It was not merely complaisance, it must be a liking to the cause, which made him enter warmly into her father and sister's solicitudes on a subject which she thought unworthy to excite them.
(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)
Nothing less than the complaisance of a courtier could have borne without anger such treatment; but Sir William's good breeding carried him through it all; and though he begged leave to be positive as to the truth of his information, he listened to all their impertinence with the most forbearing courtesy.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
This was just such a summary view of the affair as Catherine could listen to; another sentence might have endangered her complaisance, and made her reply less rational; for soon were all her thinking powers swallowed up in the reflection of her own change of feelings and spirits since last she had trodden that well-known road.
(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)
A stranger among them would have been the destruction of all their comfort; and when Edmund, pursuing that idea, gave a hint of his hope as to the limitation of the audience, they were ready, in the complaisance of the moment, to promise anything.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
In a long strip of meadow land, where there was ample space for all, they were thus divided, forming three distinct parties; and to that party of the three which boasted least animation, and least complaisance, Anne necessarily belonged.
(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)
By many significant looks and silent entreaties, did she endeavour to prevent such a proof of complaisance, but in vain; Mary would not understand them; such an opportunity of exhibiting was delightful to her, and she began her song.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
This sentiment had been uttered so often in vain that Mrs. Allen had no particular reason to hope it would be followed with more advantage now; but we are told to despair of nothing we would attain, as unwearied diligence our point would gain; and the unwearied diligence with which she had every day wished for the same thing was at length to have its just reward, for hardly had she been seated ten minutes before a lady of about her own age, who was sitting by her, and had been looking at her attentively for several minutes, addressed her with great complaisance in these words: I think, madam, I cannot be mistaken; it is a long time since I had the pleasure of seeing you, but is not your name Allen?
(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)
When I have made up my mind, I have made it; and Henrietta seemed entirely to have made up hers to call at Winthrop to-day; and yet, she was as near giving it up, out of nonsensical complaisance!
(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)
