Complaisance

2 definitions found

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

  Complaisance \Com"plai*sance`\ (?; 277), n. [F. complaisance.
     See {Complaisant}, and cf. {Complacence}.]
     Disposition to please or oblige; obliging compliance with the
     wishes of others; a deportment indicative of a desire to
     please; courtesy; civility.
     [1913 Webster]


  
           These [ladies] . . . are by the just complaisance and
           gallantry of our nation the most powerful part of our
           people.                                  --Addison.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           They strive with their own hearts and keep them down,
           In complaisance to all the fools in town. --Young.
  
     Syn: Civility; courtesy; urbanity; suavity; affability; good
          breeding.
          [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  complaisance
       n : a disposition or tendency to yield to the will of others
           [syn: {compliance}, {compliancy}, {obligingness}, {deference}]