compromise

Etymology

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 (“to make a mutual promise to abide by the decision of an arbiter”), from com- (“together”) + promittere (“to promise”); see promise.

noun

1. The settlement of differences by arbitration or by consent reached by mutual concessions.
   All government, indeed every human benefit and enjoyment, every virtue and every prudent act, is founded on compromise and barter. 1775, Edmund Burke, Conciliation with America
   That's the nature of compromises. They truly satisfy no one. June 30 2021, Philip Haigh, “Regional trains squeezed as ECML congestion heads north”, in RAIL, number 934, page 53
2. A committal to something derogatory or objectionable; a prejudicial concession; a surrender.
   a compromise of character or right
   I was determined not to accept any fine speeches, to the compromise of that sex the belonging to which was, after all, my strongest claim and title to them. 1823, Charles Lamb, Modern Gallantry
3. (computer security) 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

1. (transitive, intransitive) To bind by mutual agreement.
2. To adjust and settle by mutual concessions; to compound.
3. (intransitive) To find a way between extremes.
4. 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.
5. (transitive) To cause impairment of.
6. (transitive) To breach (a security system).
   They tried to compromise the security in the computer by guessing the password.