compromise

Noun

a middle way between two extremes
an accommodation in which both sides make concessions
- "the newly elected congressmen rejected a compromise because they considered it `business as usual'"
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

make a compromise; arrive at a compromise
- "nobody will get everything he wants; we all must compromise"
settle by concession
expose or make liable to danger, suspicion, or disrepute
- "The nuclear secrets of the state were compromised by the spy"
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).

Examples

"a compromise of character or right"
"They tried to compromise the security in the computer by guessing the password."

Origin / 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.

Synonyms

via media, split the difference

Scrabble Score: 18

compromise: valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
compromise: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
compromise: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 22

compromise is a valid Words With Friends word