Also 6–7 compremit, -primit. [ad. L. comprōmitt-ĕre (in sense 1 below), f. com- together + prōmittĕre to PROMISE. The ppl. stem comprōmiss- gave COMPROMISE. In F. compromettre, pa. pple. and sb. compromis.]
† 1. refl. (and pass.). To bind themselves mutually, to enter into a COMPROMISE (sense 2). Obs.
1441. in Plumpton Corr., p. li. The Earl of Westmerland … and William Plompton … have compromitted them either party, to stand to the award and arbitrament of [etc.].
1531. Elyot, Gov., III. iv. Either of them … compromittinge them selfes … to abyde and perfourme all suche sentence and awarde.
c. 1565. Lindesay (Pitscottie), Chron. Scot. (1728), 14. Both the said parties were compromit, by their oaths to stand at the deliverance of the arbitrators.
† 2. trans. To refer (a matter in dispute), by joint agreement, to an arbiter for settlement. Obs.
1460. Capgrave, Chron., 159. The grete debate betwix the Kyng and his barnes was compromitted to the dom of the Kyng of Frauns.
1477. in Eng. Gilds (1870), 304, marg. The controversie is compromytted to the kynge.
1594. West, Symbol., II. § 7. The parties striving be they … which compromit the same.
1606. Earl Northampton, in True & Perf. Relation, Pp j a. In compromitting causes of vnkindenesse or dissention to such a Bishop.
† b. intr. or absol. To submit to arbitration. Obs.
1579. Fenton, Guicciard. (1618), 160. The Florentines refusing to compromit.
1609. Skene, Reg. Maj., 21. It is permitted to compromit.
† c. fig. (trans.) To commit to, leave to the decision of; (intr.) to submit advisedly to. Obs.
1590. T. Fenne, Frutes, 80 b. Wherefore they were forced to compromit the matter to Ladie Fortune.
1603. Florio, Montaigne, III. xii. (1632), 591. Expecting death … with countenance and voice so little daunted, that they seemed to have compromitted to this necessitie.
† 3. To settle (a dispute) by arbitration; to settle by mutual agreement or compromise. Obs.
1537. in W. H. Turner, Select. Rec. Oxford, 141. To compromyt a mater in varyaunce.
1665. S. Clarke, Descr. Germany, 2. The second Counsell … is of a few Civilians, where all matters extrajudiciall are handeled and compremitted.
1693. Luttrell, Brief Rel. (1857), III. 180. ’Tis beleived the matter will be compremitted.
† b. To settle, allay, appease. Obs. [perhaps associated with L. comprimĕre to repress.]
1575. G. Harvey, Letter-bk. (Camden Soc.), 157. Full mutch adooe had I … to dissemble mie suddain fansies, and comprimite mie jnward passions.
1620. Ford, Linea V. (1843), 66. A physitian to other men’s affections as to his own by comprimitting such passions as runne into an insurrection.
† 4. To delegate to some other person or persons one’s right of voting in an election. Obs.
1528. Lett. Suppress. Monast. (Camden Soc.), 5. The said President and convente … have proceded to their election, and fully compromytted in your grace to name and appoynt one of the brether and convente there.
1529. Articles agst. Wolsey, in Fiddes, Life, II. (1726), 176. The same Lord Cardinal … when any Houses of Religion hath been void, hath … induc’d them to compromit their Election in him.
1573. G. Harvey, Letter-bk. (Camden Soc.), 43 He forcid mens voices as … when I was chosen to the Greek lecture, he said unto sum, You shall comprimit.
5. U.S. (Obsolescent.) = COMPROMISE v. 8.
1787. T. Jefferson, Writ. (1859), II. 155. The public reputation is, every moment, in danger of being compromitted with him.
1794. Gouv. Morris, in Sparks, Life & Writ. (1832), II. 399. Liable to the danger of compromitting himself.
1807. Pike, Sources Mississ., I. App. 31. It has compromitted the faith of our government with those savage warriors.
1875. H. C. Wood, Therap. (1879), 521. Mucus may so accumulate in the lungs … as seriously to embarrass, or even fatally compromit, respiration.
† b. To embroil; = COMMIT v. 8 b. Obs.
1793. T. Jefferson, Writ. (1859), IV. 20. None but an enemy … would avail himself of the indiscretions of an individual to compromit two nations esteeming each other ardently.
Hence Compromitting vbl. sb. and ppl. a.
1617. Collins, Def. Bp. Ely, 167. There should be no compromitting at all in so serious a canvase.
