compromise

Meanings

Noun

• The settlement of differences by arbitration or by consent reached by mutual concessions.
• A committal to something derogatory or objectionable; a prejudicial concession; a surrender.
• A breach of a computer or network's rules such that an unauthorized disclosure or loss of sensitive information may have occurred, or the unauthorized disclosure or loss itself.

Verb

• To bind by mutual agreement.
• To adjust and settle by mutual concessions; to compound.
• To find a way between extremes.
• To pledge by some act or declaration; to endanger the life, reputation, etc., of, by some act which can not be recalled; to expose to suspicion.
• To cause impairment of.
• To breach (a security system).

Origin

• From Middle French compromis, from Medieval Latin, Late Latin compromissum ("a compromise, originally a mutual promise to refer to arbitration"), prop. neuter of Latin compromissus, past participle of compromittere, from com- + promittere; see promise.