complaisance
Meaning
a willingness to please others or to accept what they do or say without protest.
Structure
Usage
she accepted their decision with quiet complaisance.
his complaisance made him popular but often overburdened him with others' requests.
the manager's complaisance towards the client's demands helped secure the contract.
Etymology
The word 'complaisance' entered English in the mid-17th century from French, where 'complaisance' denotes an obliging, pleasing disposition. It is built upon the French verb 'plaire' ('to please'), which itself descends from the Latin 'placere' with the same meaning. The intensive Latin prefix 'com-' was added to reinforce the sense of being thoroughly pleasing or agreeable. The suffix '-ance' forms the noun, solidifying the abstract concept of the state or quality of being eager to please and accommodate others.
Analysis
com- (latin prefix, meaning 'with', 'together', 'intensive'); plais- (from old french 'plaisir', meaning 'to please', of latin origin 'placere'); -ance (french noun suffix, forming abstract nouns denoting a state or quality, from latin '-antia').