[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.
1643. Milton, Divorce, viii. (1851), 44. This note of mutuall complacencie forbids all offer of seducement.
1658. Baxter, Saving Faith, vi. 46. He loveth such as have it … with the love of Complacencie and Acceptation.
1745. J. Mason, Self-Knowl., I. xviii. (1853), 129. God can take no real Complacency in any but those that are like him.
1875. Jowett, 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.
1650. Bulwer, Anthropomet., II. 58. The vanity, pompe, and idle complacency of such women.
1781. Cowper, Truth, 419. So sings he, charmed with his own mind and form … Complacency has breathed a gentle gale O’er all his thoughts.
1862. Ruskin, Munera P. (1880), 29. A certain complacency may attach to the exhibition of them.
b. with pl. (rare.)
1829. I. Taylor, Enthus., vii. 174. The complacencies of a selfish and vainglorious philanthropy.
† 3. Pleasure, delight, enjoyment. Obs.
1652. Benlowes, Theoph., Pref. Earthly complacencies, and exteriour gaities.
a. 1667. Jer. Taylor, Wks., I. 114. Joys and transportations, spiritual comforts, and complacencies.
1800. T. Cogan, Passions, 68–9. In strict propriety of language, Complacency is appropriate to that species of good, which originates from some mental or moral excellence.
1870. Emerson, Soc. of 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.
1652. Gaule, Magastrom., 178. Doth not the one act with more reluctancy, and the other with more complacency?
1663. J. Spencer, Prodigies (1665), 407. A perfect complacency and acquiescence in all the present allotments of Divine Providence.
1709. Sacheverell, 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.
1651. Howell, 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.
1683. D. A., Art Converse, 18. ’Tis civil to applaud sometimes, through an innocent complacency to what they say.
1727. A. 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.
1856. Froude, 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.
1748. Hartley, Observ. Man, II. iii. 269. A Variety of Applauses and Complacencies.
1814. Wordsw., Excursion, V. 372. The round Of smooth and solemnized complacencies.
