Etymology Map
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Compromise

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means an agreement by mutual concession

Where does the word "compromise" come from? It comes from Latin compromissum, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
compromissum
Latin · ancient
"mutual promise"
'com-' plus 'promittere', to promise
2
Stage 2 of 3
compromis
Old French · medieval
"arbitration"
an agreement to accept an arbiter's decision
3
Stage 3 of 3
compromise
English · 1400s
"arbitration"
the sense 'lower standards' dates from the 1600s
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Read the full story

Compromise’s story begins in Latin: compromissum meant “mutual promise.” 'com-' plus 'promittere', to promise. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as compromis. An agreement to accept an arbiter's decision. It reached English by 1400s as compromise. The sense 'lower standards' dates from the 1600s. Today, compromise means an agreement by mutual concession.