Now rare. [ad. med.L. complacēntia (see Du Cange) = F. complaisance, f. L. complacēre to please, be pleasant: see -ENCE. The original accentuation appears to have been (correctly) co·mplace:nce, as still in Butler, c. 1675; but Milton has compla·cence.]
1. Pleasure or satisfaction in one’s own condition or doings; self-satisfaction; † in early use, sometimes = vanity.
c. 1430. trans. T. à Kempis’ Consol., III. viii. Better it is to sauour but a litel wiþ mekenes & litel under stondyng, þan gret tresoures of konnynge wiþ veyn complacence. Better it is þe to haue litel þan muche wherof þou mowe be proude.
1490. Caxton, How to Die, 7. This complacence is vayn glorye.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 290. Se that we haue no complacence or pleasure, in our owne perfeccyon.
a. 1677. Barrow, Serm., Wks. 1687, I. 7. The arbitrary opinion and fickle humour of the people; complacence in which is vain.
1748. Hartley, Observ. Man, I. iv. 446. A Complacence in being low-born, on account of his present high Station.
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), IV. 350. The complacence of one who thinks that he has made a noble discovery.
2. Pleasure, delight; satisfaction. Obs.
c. 1436. Libel Eng. Policy, in Pol. Poems (Rolls), II. 172. The grete galees of Venees and Fflorence Be wel ladene wyth thynges of complacence, Alle spicerye and of grocers ware.
1503. Hawes, Examp. Virt., x. 180. Full glad was I … For to se that four of complacence. Ibid. (1509), Past. Pleas., VII. iii. Enspyred wyth the hevenly influence Of the doulcet well of complacence.
1673. Lady’s Call., I. § 5. 37. In the common offices of piety … there is an infinitly greater complacence. Ibid., II. § 2. 79. That they may have a complacence in her company.
1754. Edwards, Freed. Will, I. § 4. 25. A Man unable to take Complacence in wicked Persons or Things.
b. Pleasantness of temper or mien.
1767. Franklin, Lett. (1833), 105. The serenity, complacence, and benignity that shine so eminently in … her countenance.
† c. concr. An object or source of pleasure and satisfaction. Obs.
1667. Milton, P. L., III. 276. O Thou My sole complacence!
† 3. Disposition to please, oblige, or comply with the wishes of others; complaisance. Obs.
1626. T. H[awkins], trans. Caussin’s Holy Crt., 36. Many … by the seruile slauery of complacence, do prayse euen their vices.
a. 1680. Butler, Sat. Marriage, 53, in Rem. (1759), I. 120. All people were so full of complacence And civil duty of the public sense.
1705. Hickeringill, Priest-cr., I. (1721), 38. In complacence to Priest-craft.
1709. Pope, Ess. Crit., 579. With mean complacence ne’er betray your trust, Nor be so civil as to prove unjust.
1714. Croxall, Orig. Canto Spencer, xliii.
| What iron Breast so hard that can endure | |
| To work such Spight on Vertuous Innocence? | |
| Or dare to violate, with Hands impure, | |
| A Nymph so full of curteous Complacence? |
1749. Fielding, Tom Jones, II. ii. She consented … for she had truly a great complacence for her brother.
† 4. Good pleasure. Obs.
1675. Baxter, Cath. Theol., I. I. 8. As Gods efficient Will causeth the thing willed … so his final will or Complacence supposeth the pleasing thing in being.
