| 释义 |
complacency|kəmˈpleɪsənsɪ|
[f. as prec., with the later form of the suffix, -ency.]
1. The fact or state of being pleased with a thing or person; tranquil pleasure or satisfaction in something or some one.
1643Milton Divorce viii. (1851) 44 This note of mutuall complacencie forbids all offer of seducement. 1658Baxter Saving Faith vi. 46 He loveth such as have it..with the love of Complacencie and Acceptation. 1745J. Mason Self-Knowl. i. xviii. (1853) 129 God can take no real Complacency in any but those that are like him. 1875Jowett Plato IV. 30 Although he regards the enemies of pleasure with complacency.
2. spec. The fact or state of being pleased with oneself; tranquil pleasure or satisfaction in one's own condition or doings; self-satisfaction.
1650Bulwer Anthropomet. ii. 58 The vanity, pompe, and idle complacency of such women. 1781Cowper Truth 419 So sings he, charmed with his own mind and form..Complacency has breathed a gentle gale O'er all his thoughts. 1862Ruskin Munera P. (1880) 29 A certain complacency may attach to the exhibition of them.
b. with pl. (rare.)
1829I. Taylor Enthus. vii. 174 The complacencies of a selfish and vainglorious philanthropy.
†3. Pleasure, delight, enjoyment. Obs.
1652Benlowes Theoph. Pref., Earthly complacencies, and exteriour gaities. a1667Jer. Taylor Wks. I. 114 Joys and transportations, spiritual comforts, and complacencies. 1800T. Cogan Passions §3 (R.) In strict propriety of language, complacency is alone applicable to that species of good which originates from some mental or moral excellence. 1870Emerson Soc. & Solit., Success Wks. (Bohn) III. 125 But also in complacencies..The man of sensibility counts it a delight only to hear a child's voice.
†4. Contented acquiescence or consent. Obs.
1652Gaule Magastrom. 178 Doth not the one act with more reluctancy, and the other with more complacency? 1663J. Spencer Prodigies (1665) 407 A perfect complacency and acquiescence in all the present allotments of Divine Providence. 1709Sacheverell Serm. 15 Aug. 12 A..Complacency in Other's Sin Appropriates it to Us.
5. Disposition or wish to please, or comply with the wishes of, others; complaisance. ? Obs.
1651Howell Venice 39 The complement which a Gentleman put upon a Lady, having five or six comly Daughters, who sayed, by way of complacency, that he never saw such a dainty Cupboard of Cristall Glasses in all his life. 1683D. A. Art Converse 18 'Tis civil to applaud sometimes, through an innocent complacency to what they say. 1727A. Hamilton New Acc. E. Ind. I. xxi. 247 A severe Inquisition Court [at Goa] which aws both Clergy and Laity to such a Complacency, that I question if there is such a Pack of..Hypocrites in the World. 1856Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) I. v. 462 The king was supported only by the complacency of a few courtiers.
b. (pl.) Instances or acts of complaisance. ? Obs.
1748Hartley Observ. Man ii. iii. 269 A Variety of Applauses and Complacencies. 1814Wordsw. Excursion v. 372 The round Of smooth and solemnized complacencies. |
