Also 7 -ency. [f. as prec. + -ANCY.] 1. = COMPLIANCE.
1643. Prynne, Sov. Power Parl., IV. 35. Surrendering two Castles in France, onely out of fear … without any compliency with the enemy.
1646. S. Bolton, Arraignm. Err., 71. You hold Compliancie, though you give not entertainment to some Corruption.
1834. Landor, Exam. Shaks., Wks. 1853, II. 298/2. Appeased by his ready compliancy and low gentle voice.
2. The quality of being compliant.
1765. Goldsm., Ess. (L.). His whole bearing betokened compliancy, and … readiness to oblige.
† 3. Physical yielding; yieldingness and adaptation to conditions. Cf. COMPLIANT 2. Obs.
1793. Smeaton, Edystone L., Contents, p. viii. The safety of the late Building was owing to its Compliancy. Ibid., § 290. By the time it was driven about four inches; the compliancy of the wood to the stone rendered it quite tight.
