Complacency

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Complacence \Com*pla"cence\, Complacency \Com*pla"cen*cy\, n.
     [LL. complacentia: cf. F. complaisance. See {Complacent}, and
     cf. {Complaisance}.]
     1. Calm contentment; satisfaction; gratification.
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              The inward complacence we find in acting reasonably
              and virtuously.                       --Atterbury.
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              Others proclaim the infirmities of a great man with
              satisfaction and complacency, if they discover none
              of the like in themselves.            --Addison.
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     2. The cause of pleasure or joy. "O thou, my sole
        complacence." --Milton.
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     3. The manifestation of contentment or satisfaction; good
        nature; kindness; civility; affability.
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              Complacency, and truth, and manly sweetness,
              Dwell ever on his tongue, and smooth his thoughts.
                                                    --Addison.
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              With mean complacence ne'er betray your trust.
                                                    --Pope.
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From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  complacency
       n : the feeling you have when you are satisfied with yourself;
           "his complacency was absolutely disgusting" [syn: {complacence},
            {self-complacency}, {self-satisfaction}]