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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 3/7/2009
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 Compromise, n.: Such an adjustment of conflicting interests as gives each adversary the satisfaction of thinking he has got what he ought not to have, and is deprived of nothing except what was justly his due. Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914)
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Rank: Advanced Member
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Can't help thinking it's not up to your usual standard Ambrose.
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Rank: Advanced Member
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One has his ups and downs. ;/
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Rank: Advanced Member
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I would rewrite Bierce's definition as follows: "Compromise, n.: an entirely unsatisfactory exchange in which each person believes he has given up more than he should, but received less."
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Rank: Advanced Member
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Location: Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, Chile
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Definition: Compromise. N. 1.- A middle way between two extremes
2.- An accomodation in which both sides makes concessions
TFD.
This word comes from promise,so I thought,it might means To fulfil a promise or a vow.
Strange meaning :Make concessions.
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Rank: Advanced Member
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Desiree - yes, I can see how it might seem a puzzling meaning.
But I think you'll find that the word actually comes through Old French from the Latin "compromissum" which doesn't actually mean a promise but an agreement between two people to accept the decision of a third party/arbiter. In such a situation it would be understood by both parties, I expect, that niether would get EXACTLY what they wanted.
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Compromise is how a society of diverse viewpoints manages itself. The alternative being conflict up to and including Civil War.
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Rank: Advanced Member
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Location: Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, Chile
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Thanks,Romany for your reply.- So, "THe compromise ring" given before "The wedding ring" means a journey of mutual concessions. It is right! 
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Rank: Advanced Member
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Glad I could help, Desiree.
But I hope this hasn't soured your thinking! (engagement ring = compromise ring! LOL)
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Rank: Advanced Member
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Compromise: Coming to an agreement. Sometimes a noble or humble act, at other times a necessity and often a fudge.
It can be a winning position if the bar was deliberately set high in the first instance. Certainly not always a bad thing.
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