pro-

before, forward; on behalf of

Forms

pro-
por- — An older Latin variant retained in some compounds.

Origin

Reconstructed Proto-Indo-European *pro, ‘before; forward.’

Note

Standing in front of someone can develop into acting on that person’s behalf.

1 / 108

noun / verb

compromise

KAHM-pruh-myze/ˈkɑːmprəmaɪz/

An agreement reached by each side giving up something.

The negotiators reach a compromise by dividing the loaf equally.

Two negotiators share a round loaf divided evenly between them, shaking hands across table; each has accepted half.

Etymology

comLatinwith, together; sometimes thoroughly

+proLatinbefore, forward; on behalf of

+miseLatinsend, let go, release

“Before” and “send” combine in the ancestor meaning “promise”; “together” makes this a mutual pledge to accept an arbiter’s decision. The word shifted from that pledge to the settlement itself, reached through mutual concessions.

In context

Miss Erin Doctor0:12

in order for a compromise to work both people get a little of what they want and both people give up

The Art of the Compromise

More examples

They compromise on a price halfway between their original offers.
Our compromise gives you the car today and me tomorrow.
Both sides make compromises to keep the project moving.

Forms

compromise · compromises · compromised · compromising

Similar words

agreement: Broader term; neither side necessarily gives anything up.
settlement: Emphasizes resolving a dispute, not necessarily through mutual concessions.