▪ I. compromit, v.
(kɒmprəˈmɪt)
Also 6–7 compremit, -primit.
[ad. L. comprōmitt-ĕre (in sense 1 below), f. com- together + prōmittĕre to promise. The ppl. stem comprōmiss- gave compromise. In F. compromettre, pa. pple. and n. compromis.]
† 1. refl. (and pass.). To bind themselves mutually, to enter into a compromise (sense 2). Obs.
| 1441 in Plumpton Corr. p. li, The Earl of Westmerland..and William Plompton..have compromitted them either party, to stand to the award and arbitrament of, etc. 1531 Elyot Gov. iii. iv, Either of them..compromittinge them selfes..to abyde and perfourme all suche sentence and awarde. c 1565 Lindesay (Pitscottie) Chron. Scot. (1728) 14 Both the said parties were compromit, by their oaths to stand at the deliverance of the arbitrators. |
† 2. trans. To refer (a matter in dispute), by joint agreement, to an arbiter for settlement. Obs.
| 1460 J. Capgrave Chron. 159 The grete debate betwix the Kyng and his barnes was compromitted to the dom of the Kyng of Frauns. 1477 in Eng. Gilds (1870) 304 marg., The controversie is compromytted to the kynge. 1594 West Symbol. ii. §7 The parties striving be they..which compromit the same. 1606 Earl of Northampton in True & Perf. Relation Pp j a, In compromitting causes of vnkindenesse or dissention to such a Bishop. |
† b. intr. or absol. To submit to arbitration. Obs.
| 1579 Fenton Guicciard. (1618) 160 The Florentines refusing to compromit. 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. 21 It is permitted to compromit. |
† c. fig. (trans.) To commit to, leave to the decision of; (intr.) to submit advisedly to. Obs.
| 1590 T. Fenne Frutes 80 b, Wherefore they were forced to compromit the matter to Ladie Fortune. 1603 Florio Montaigne iii. xii. (1632) 591 Expecting death..with countenance and voice so little daunted, that they seemed to have compromitted to this necessitie. |
† 3. To settle (a dispute) by arbitration; to settle by mutual agreement or compromise. Obs.
| 1537 in W. H. Turner Select. Rec. Oxford 141 To compromyt a mater in varyaunce. 1665 S. Clarke Descr. Germany 7 The second Counsell..is of a few Civilians, where all matters extrajudiciall are handeled and compremitted. 1693 Luttrell Brief Rel. (1857) III. 180 'Tis beleived the matter will be compremitted. |
† b. To settle, allay, appease. Obs. [perhaps associated with L. comprimĕre to repress.]
| 1575 G. Harvey Letter-bk. (Camden Soc.) 157 Full mutch adooe had I..to dissemble mie suddain fansies, and comprimitt mie jnward passions. 1620 Ford Linea V. (1843) 66 A physitian to other men's affections as to his own..by comprimitting such passions as runne into an insurrection. |
† 4. To delegate to some other person or persons one's right of voting in an election. Obs.
| 1528 Lett. Suppress. Monast. (Camden Soc.) 5 The said President and convente..have proceded to their election, and fully compromytted in your grace to name and appoynt one of the brether and convente there. 1529 Articles agst. Wolsey in Fiddes Life ii. (1726) 176 The same Lord Cardinal..when any Houses of Religion hath been void, hath..induc'd them to compromit their Election in him. 1573 G. Harvey Letter-bk. (Camden Soc.) 43 He forcid mens voices as..when I was chosen to the Greek lecture, he said unto sum, You shall comprimit. |
5. U.S. (Obsolescent.) = compromise v. 8.
| 1787 T. Jefferson Writ. (1859) II. 155 The public reputation is, every moment, in danger of being compromitted with him. 1794 Gouv. Morris in Sparks Life & Writ. (1832) II. 399 Liable to the danger of compromitting himself. 1807 Pike Sources Mississ. i. App. 31 It has compromitted the faith of our government with those savage warriors. 1875 H. C. Wood Therap. (1879) 521 Mucus may so accumulate in the lungs..as seriously to embarrass, or even fatally compromit, respiration. |
† b. To embroil; = commit v. 8 b. Obs.
| 1793 T. Jefferson Writ. (1859) IV. 20 None but an enemy..would avail himself of the indiscretions of an individual to compromit two nations esteeming each other ardently. |
Hence compromitting vbl. n. and ppl. a.
| 1617 Collins Def. Bp. Ely 167 There should be no compromitting at all in so serious a canvase. |
▪ II. † compromit, n. Sc. Obs.
[? f. the verb.]
Reference of a dispute to an arbiter; arbitration; the decision of an arbiter.
| 1525 Sc. Act Jas. V (1814) 293 (Jam.) Thar was compromittis maid for concord to be hade betuix the erlis of Anguss & Arane. 1559 in Tytler Hist. Scot. (1864) III. 391 Upon compromitt made betwixt them and the lords sent from the queens grace regent. c 1575 Sir J. Balfour Practicks (1754) 180 Ane minor..cannot consent to ane compromit. 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. 20 In how many arbiters ane compromit sould be made. Ibid. 21 Ane compromit receaves na execution, nor obedience: Except ane pane be adjoined and conteined in it. |