Complacence


[kuh m-pley-suh n-see] /kəmˈpleɪ sən si/

noun, plural complacencies.
1.
a feeling of quiet pleasure or security, often while unaware of some potential danger, defect, or the like; self-satisfaction or smug satisfaction with an existing situation, condition, etc.
2.
Archaic.

/kəmˈpleɪsənsɪ/
noun (pl) -cencies, -cences
1.
a feeling of satisfaction, esp extreme self-satisfaction; smugness
2.
an obsolete word for complaisance
n.

mid-15c., “pleasure,” from Medieval Latin complacentia “satisfaction, pleasure,” from Latin complacentem (nominative complacens), present participle of complacere “to be very pleasing,” from com-, intensive prefix (see com-), + placere “to please” (see please). Sense of “pleased with oneself” is 18c.
n.

1640s, from same source as complacence but with the later form of the suffix (see -cy).

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