complaisant
UK[kəmˈpleɪz(ə)nt]US[kəmˈpleɪs(ə)nt]
adj
willing to please others or to accept what they do or say without protest
Morpheme Breakdown
com
plais
ant
com
with
plais
to please
ant
Etymology
the word 'complaisant' entered english in the mid-17th century from the french adjective 'complaisant', the present participle of 'complaire', meaning 'to please' or 'to be obliging'. the french term itself originates from the latin verb 'complacere', which is a compound of 'com-' (an intensive prefix) and 'placere' (to please). the semantic journey is direct: from the literal sense of 'taking great care to please' in latin, through the french sense of being agreeable and accommodating, to the modern english meaning describing a person who is willingly deferential to the wishes of others. it is distinct from the similar-sounding 'complacent', which implies self-satisfaction rather than a desire to please.
Analysis
Structure: com + plais + ant
com- (latin: prefix meaning 'with', 'together', 'intensive'); plais- (french: from verb 'plaire', meaning 'to please'); -ant (french/latin: suffix forming adjectives, meaning 'being in a state of' or 'performing the action of')
Examples
he was a complaisant host, always ensuring his guests' glasses were full.
she was too complaisant in the meeting, agreeing to every demand without question.
a complaisant attitude can sometimes be mistaken for a lack of conviction.