Also 7 comprimise, -ize, -premyze, 7–8 -premise, -ize, 7 -promize. [f. the sb., in various distinct uses; in some of these replacing the earlier COMPROMIT.]
(Comprimize attributed to Wolsey, 1524, in Fiddes’ Wolsey (1724), II. 88, is an evident error for comprise.)
I. † 1. trans. Of arbiters: To adjust or settle (differences, conflicting claims, etc.) between parties. Also fig. Obs.
1598. Florio, Compromettere, to compromise, or arbitrate. Compromessario, an arbitrer or vmpier to compromise a thing.
1606. Heywood, 2nd Pt. If you know, Wks. 1874, I. 262. The Lady Ramsey hath … Procur’d the reuerend preacher, Doctor Nowell, To comprimise and end our difference.
1647. Ward, Simp. Cobler (1843), 22. If the whole conclave of Hell can so compromise exadverse and diametricall contradictions.
a. 1661. Fuller, Worthies, Lanc., Hugh of Manchester. In that Age such mortified men were presumed the most proper Persons, peaceably to compremise differences between the greatest Princes.
1718. Freethinker, No. 9, ¶ 2. To compremise this Affair equitably.
1798. W. Taylor, in Monthly Rev., XXV. 571. Frequent comparison is necessary to select their coincidences, to compromise their deviations, and to reconcile their seeming contradictions.
12. To be compromised: to be agreed as the result of compromise or mutual concession, to have come to terms. Obs.
1596. Shaks., Merch. V., I. iii. 79. When Laban and himselfe were compremyz’d That all the eanelings which were streakt and pied Should fall as Iacobs hier.
1799. Coleridge, trans. Schiller’s Piccolom., IV. vi. Are you compromised? [Ger. Seid ihr einig?]
3. Of contending parties: To settle (differences) by mutual concession; to come to terms about.
1679. T. Puller, Moder. Ch. Eng., iv. (1843), 35. When time serves, they that make the difference can compromise it.
1755. Johnson, Dict., s.v., 1. To compound; to adjust a compact by mutual concessions: as, they compromised the affair at a middle rate.
1770. Placid Man, I. 96. Prudence might suggest to me to compromise the matter with my father.
1803. Wellington, in Owen, Disp., 221. The knowledge of our arrangements … may induce … Scindiah and Holkar to compromise their differences.
1853. C. Brontë, Villette, xxiii. (1876), 243. To speak truth, I compromised matters; I served two masters.
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., xviii. With much difficulty, the dispute was compromised.
4. intr. To come to terms by mutual concession; to come to an agreement by the partial surrender of position or principles.
1656. H. More, Antid. Ath., II. iii. (1662), 48. Those that are most dumb will at least compromise with the rest that all things are by the guidance … of a Knowing Principle. Ibid. (1662), Philos. Writ., Pref. Gen. (1712), 26. He may with a safe conscience compromise with his Superiours, and use their language … concerning such things.
1679. T. Puller, Moder. Ch. Eng., xvii. 458. No [re]formed church in the Christian world is more truly protestant than is the church of England; nor any which (all things compared) less compromiseth with Rome.
1754. Richardson, Grandison, I. xxxviii. 277. To induce him to compromise on those terms.
1798. W. Taylor, in Monthly Rev., XXV. 577. It would be more convenient to compromise with custom.
1874. Morley, Compromise (1886), 56. The disciples of the relative may afford to compromise. The disciples of the absolute, never.
1880. McCarthy, Own Times, III. xliii. 293. Two extreme parties there were who would not compromise.
† 5. trans. To compound for, make composition for. rare. (Cf. the sb. sense 4 b.)
1757. Herald (1758), II. 9, No. 16. The landed gentlemen should suffer … with them, and compromise the sufferings with the alienation of a part … of their estates.
6. intr. To make a practical compromise. (See the sb. sense 5.)
1836. Southey, Lett. (1856), IV. 461. I never thought of compromising between a present and a posthumous edition.
II. † 7. trans. To entrust (a matter) to a person for his decision or award. Obs.
1642. T. Goodwin, Heart of Christ in H., 58. I could put my soule into such a mans hands, and can comprimise my salvation to him.
8. ‘To put to the hazard of being censured’ (Phillips); to expose (oneself, one’s own or another’s reputation, credit, or interests) to risk or danger, to imperil; to involve in a hazardous course, to commit (oneself).
1696. Phillips, s.v., It behov’d him not to Compromise his Honour and his Reputation.
1727–31. in Bailey, vol. II.
1785. T. Jefferson, Corr., Wks. 1859, I. 436. I think … you by no means compromised yourself or your country.
1795. Roscoe, L. de Medici, vii. (1836), 232. An open attack [by Politiano upon Merula] might therefore have compromised the name of Lorenzo.
1796. T. Green, Diary Lover of Lit. (1810), 5–6. ‘Compromise,’ which properly means, the adjustment of differences by reciprocal concession, he [Roscoe] employs, by what authority I know not, to express, the putting to hazard by implication.
1841. Myers, Cath. Th., III. § 35. No essential of Jewish faith would be compromised by doubting the Divine dictation of the Proverbs of Agur.
1856. Froude, Hist. Eng., I. 171. The characters of a king of England, and of the three estates of the realm, are compromised in the treatment which she received from them. Ibid. (1883), Short Stud., IV. I. vii. 76. Alexander … had no intention of compromising himself by an authoritative decision.
