plac-, placi-, -plais
(Latin: to please, to satisfy; peace, peacefulness; calm, calmness)
The feeling of being overly self-satisfied, which some people have when they are content with themselves and their situations: The new student was aware of the smugness or complacence of some of the rich kids at the private school.
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complacent (adjective), more complacent, most complacent
1. Contented with oneself to a fault; that is, self-satisfied and unconcerned: Ever since Cain received his raise, he has been the most complacent person in the office and he doesn't do as much work as he did before.
2. Self-satisfied and unaware of possible dangers: Too many people were complacent when there was a strong economy, but that attitude has changed now that the economy has gone in the other direction.
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Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
2. Self-satisfied and unaware of possible dangers: Too many people were complacent when there was a strong economy, but that attitude has changed now that the economy has gone in the other direction.
Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.
complacently (adverb)
A descriptive term for an attitude of being satisfied with how things are and not wanting to try to make them better: "Jacob went to work each day complacently feeling that every thing was great and nothing should be changed."
complaisance (s) (noun)
1. An inclination or a tendency to willingly give in to the requests of others.
2. A disposition to please or to comply willingly and in a friendly way with the wishes of another person or other people.
2. A disposition to please or to comply willingly and in a friendly way with the wishes of another person or other people.
complaisant (adjective), more complaisant, most complaisant
Relating to someone who is very willing to please others; obedient and agreeable to do what others are suggesting: Jackie was very obliging and complaisant when she was asked by the disabled lady to help her go across the street.
© ALL rights are reserved.
© ALL rights are reserved.
© ALL rights are reserved.
Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.
complaisantly (adverb)
complaisantness (s) (noun)
displeasant (adjective)
displeasantly (adverb)
displease (verb), displeases; displeased; displeasing
displeasingly (adverb)
displeasingness (s) (noun)
displeasurable (adjective), more displeasurable, most displeasurable
Prone to being offensive: The last few months Jane spent with her husband, whom she shortly thereafter divorced, produced many displeasurable and disagreeable memories.
Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietam.
By the sword we seek peace but peace only under liberty.
State motto of Massachusetts, USA.; suggesting that military preparedness can ensure peace.
Cross references directly, or indirectly, involving "calm, calmness, peace, quiet": pac-, peac-; quies-, quiet-; seren-.
