2 VERB If you compromise with someone, you reach an agreement with them in which you both give up something that you originally wanted. You can also say that two people or groups compromise . □ [V + over ] The government has compromised with its critics over monetary policies. □ [V + on ] 'Nine,' said I. 'Nine thirty,' tried he. We compromised on 9.15. □ [V + on ] Israel had originally wanted $1 billion in aid, but compromised on the $650 million. [Also pl-n V , V (non-recip)]
3 VERB If someone compromises themselves or compromises their beliefs, they do something which damages their reputation for honesty, loyalty, or high moral principles. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V pron-refl] He compromised himself by accepting a bribe. □ [V n] He would rather shoot himself than compromise his principles. SYNONYMS compromise NOUN 1
give and take: …a happy relationship where there's a lot of give and take.
concession: The King made major concessions to end the confrontation with his people.
trade-off: The newspaper's headline indicates that there was a trade-off at the summit. VERB 2
concede: The government conceded some of their demands.
meet halfway: The Democrats are willing to meet the president halfway.
trade off: They might trade off information for a reduced sentence.
com|pro|mis|ing /kɒ mprəma I z I ŋ/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe information or a situation as compromising , you mean that it reveals an embarrassing or guilty secret about someone. □ How had this compromising picture come into the possession of the press?
comp|trol|ler /kəntroʊ lə r / (comptrollers ) N‑COUNT A comptroller is someone who is in charge of the accounts of a business or a government department; used mainly in official titles. [BUSINESS ] □ [+ of ] It's not every day that a new comptroller of Her Majesty's Household is appointed.
com|pul|sion /kəmpʌ lʃ ə n/ (compulsions )
1 N‑COUNT [oft N to-inf] A compulsion is a strong desire to do something, which you find difficult to control. □ He felt a sudden compulsion to drop the bucket and run.
2 N‑UNCOUNT If someone uses compulsion in order to get you to do something, they force you to do it, for example by threatening to punish you if you do not do it. □ Students learn more when they were in class out of choice rather than compulsion.
com|pul|sive /kəmpʌ ls I v/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] You use compulsive to describe people or their behaviour when they cannot stop doing something wrong, harmful, or unnecessary. □ …a compulsive liar. □ He was a compulsive gambler and often heavily in debt. ● com|pul|sive|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □ John is compulsively neat and clean, he's terrified of germs.
2 ADJ If a book or television programme is compulsive , it is so interesting that you do not want to stop reading or watching it. □ The second series of this drama has been explosive, compulsive viewing. ● com|pul|sive|ly ADV [ADV adj] □ …a series of compulsively readable novels.
com|pul|so|ry /kəmpʌ lsəri/ ADJ If something is compulsory , you must do it or accept it, because it is the law or because someone in a position of authority says you must. □ In East Germany, learning Russian was compulsory. □ Many young men are trying to get away from compulsory military conscription. ● com|pul|so|ri|ly /kəmpʌ lsər I li/ ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □ Five of the company's senior managers have been made compulsorily redundant.
com|punc|tion /kəmpʌ ŋkʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT If you say that someone has no compunction about doing something, you mean that they do it without feeling ashamed or guilty. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He has no compunction about relating how he killed his father.
com|pu|ta|tion /kɒ mpjʊte I ʃ ə n/ (computations ) N‑VAR Computation is mathematical calculation. □ The discrepancies resulted from different methods of computation. □ He took a few notes and made computations.
com|pu|ta|tion|al /kɒ mpjʊte I ʃən ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Computational means using computers. □ …the limits of the computational methods available 50 years ago.
com|pute /kəmpjuː t/ (computes , computing , computed ) VERB To compute a quantity or number means to calculate it. □ [V n] I tried to compute the cash value of the ponies and horse boxes.
com|put|er ◆◆◇ /kəmpjuː tə r / (computers )
1 N‑COUNT [oft by/on N ] A computer is an electronic machine that can store and deal with large amounts of information. □ The data are then fed into a computer. □ The car was designed by computer.
2 → see also personal computer COLLOCATIONS computer NOUN 1
noun + computer : desktop, home, laptop, tablet
adjective + computer : handheld, personal, portable; powerful, sophisticated
verb + computer : operate, program, run, use; install, reboot, restart, upgrade; hack, infect
com|put|er|ate /kəmpjuː tərət/ ADJ If someone is computerate , they have enough skill and knowledge to be able to use a computer.
com|pu t|er game (computer games ) N‑COUNT A computer game is a game that you play on a computer or on a small portable piece of electronic equipment.
com|put|er|ize /kəmpjuː təra I z/ (computerizes , computerizing , computerized ) in BRIT, also use computerise VERB To computerize a system, process, or type of work means to arrange for a lot of the work to be done by computer. □ [V n] We need to computerize everything that's done by hand at the moment. □ [V ] Many hospitals say they simply can't afford to computerize. ● com|put|eri|za|tion /kəmpjuː təra I ze I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ …the benefits of computerization.