Putting someone in an embarrassing or damaging position, or reaching an agreement by both sides giving up something they want.
From Latin 'compromittere'—'com-' (together) plus 'promittere' (to promise). Originally meant making a mutual promise, evolved to mean settling a dispute by mutual concessions.
The word 'compromise' sounds negative when used as an adjective ('compromising photos'), but the verb is seen as positive—this linguistic contradiction shows our conflicted feelings about giving up what we want!
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