complacency — 1640s, from same source as COMPLACENCE (Cf. complacence) but with the later form of the suffix (see CY (Cf. cy)) … Etymology dictionary
complacency — [kəm plā′sənskəm plā′sən sē] n. [LL complacentia < L complacens: see COMPLACENT] quiet satisfaction; contentment; often, specif., self satisfaction, or smugness: also complacence [kəm plā′səns] … English World dictionary
Complacency — Complacence Com*pla cence, Complacency Com*pla cen*cy, n. [LL. complacentia: cf. F. complaisance. See {Complacent}, and cf. {Complaisance}.] 1. Calm contentment; satisfaction; gratification. [1913 Webster] The inward complacence we find in acting … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
complacency — [[t]kəmple͟ɪs(ə)nsi[/t]] N UNCOUNT (disapproval) Complacency is being complacent about a situation. ...a worrying level of complacency about the risks of infection from AIDS... She warned that there was no room for complacency on inflation … English dictionary
complacency — n. complacency about stewards * * * [kəm pleɪs(ə)nsɪ] towards complacency about … Combinatory dictionary
complacency — com|pla|cen|cy [kəmˈpleısənsi] n [U] a feeling of satisfaction with a situation or with what you have achieved, so that you stop trying to improve or change things used to show disapproval ▪ Doctors have warned against complacency in fighting… … Dictionary of contemporary English
complacency — noun (plural cies) Date: 1650 1. self satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies 2. an instance of complacency … New Collegiate Dictionary
complacency — noun (U) a feeling of satisfaction with what you have achieved which makes you stop trying to improve or change things: There are no grounds for complacency in today s competitive environment … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
complacency — UK [kəmˈpleɪs(ə)nsɪ] / US noun [uncountable] a complacent attitude or way of behaving The government has been accused of complacency over food poisoning outbreaks … English dictionary
complacency — complacent ► ADJECTIVE ▪ smug and uncritically satisfied with oneself or one s achievements. DERIVATIVES complacency (also complacence) noun complacently adverb. ORIGIN from Latin complacere to please … English terms dictionary