complacent

the word complacent originates from the latin verb 'complacēre', meaning "to be very pleasing to oneself". this is a compound of the intensive prefix 'com-' (thoroughly) and 'placēre' (to please). it entered english in the 17th century via the latin present participle 'complacēns', which carried the sense of being pleased or satisfied. the modern meaning evolved to specifically denote a self-satisfied and often unaware attitude, shifting from a neutral state of being pleased to a potentially negative state of smugness and uncritical contentment.

Structure: com (together) + plac (please) + ent (adjective suffix) com: latin origin, a prefix meaning "together, with, thoroughly". plac: latin origin, from the root 'placēre', meaning "to please, be agreeable". ent: latin origin, an adjectival suffix meaning "being in a state of, performing the action of".