a. and sb. Also 7 -plyant. [f. COMPLY v. + -ANT; after defiant, etc.]
A. adj.
1. Complying, disposed to comply; ‘civil, complaisant’ (J.); ready to yield to the wishes or desires of others.
1642. Ld. Digby, in Clarendon, Hist. Reb., IV. (1843), 173/2. If after all … he shall betake himself to the easiest and compliantest ways of accommodation.
1679. Burnet, Hist. Ref., 71. The King did not doubt but the Pope would be compliant to his desires.
1828. Scott, F. M. Perth, vii. The rest will be compliant to the same resolution.
1870. Disraeli, Lothair, xlii. 217. I do not like to be churlish when all are so amiable and compliant.
1874. Green, Short Hist., iv. § 2 (1882), 172. Their representatives … proved far more compliant with the royal will than the barons.
† 2. Yielding to physical pressure, pliant. Obs.
1667. Milton, P. L., IV. 3. Nectarine Fruits, which the compliant boughes Yeilded them.
1788. Smeaton, Quadrant, in Phil. Trans., LXXIX. 6. The whole being slender and compliant, except in point of length. Ibid. (1793), Edystone L., § 302. Wood wedges … being more supple, elastic, and compliant than wedges of metal.
† B. sb. One who complies; a complier. Obs.
1655. Fuller, Ch. Hist., XI. VI. 314. It being a compliant with the papists, in a great part of their service, doth not a little confirm them in their superstition and idolatry. Ibid., Worthies, I. 331. His sturdy nature would not bow to Court-compliants.
1660. Z. Crofton, Fast. St. Peter’s Fetters, 37. Our Soft Covenanters, Speedy Complyants, and Temporizing Turn-Coats.
