different between complicit vs complicity

English

Etymology

Back-formation from complicity, most likely, which from French complicité, from complice (“partner, accomplice”), from Latin complex, complicem (“partner”).

Pronunciation

• (UK, US) IPA^(key): /k?m?pl?s.?t/
• Rhymes: -?s?t

Adjective

complicit (comparative more complicit, superlative most complicit)

1. Associated with or participating in an activity, especially one of a questionable nature.
   • 1973, Angus Wilson, As If by Magic, Secker and Warburg, p. 177:

     "I confess," and the Englishman turned with a near complicit grin to Hamo, "I have certain vulgar tastes myself."

   • 2005, Larry Dennsion, "Letters," Time, 7 March:

     Khan's sale of nuclear secrets and a complicit Pakistani government have made the world a ticking time bomb.

Synonyms

• complicitous

Derived terms

• complicitly

Related terms

• complicity

Translations

References

• “complicit” in Dictionary.com Unabridged, Dictionary.com, LLC, 1995–present.
• Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., 1989.

English

Etymology

From French complicité, from Middle French, from Old French complice (“accomplice”), from Late Latin complic-, stem of complex (“partner, confederate”), from Latin complic? (“fold together”)

Pronunciation

Noun

complicity (countable and uncountable, plural complicities)

2. The state of being complicit; involvement as a partner or accomplice, especially in a crime or other wrongdoing.
3. (archaic) Complexity.
   • 1861, Dr. Marx, "Musical Education and Instruction," The Musical Times, vol. 10, no. 220, p. 53:

     How easy is it, on the other hand, to an enlightened teacher, particularly in the beginning, to elucidate the various forms of rhythm by methodical arrangement in respect of simplicity and increasing complicity or mixture!

Synonyms

• (involvement as a partner or accomplice, especially in wrongdoing): collusion, complicitousness, connivance

Derived terms

• complicitous

Related terms

• accomplice

Translations

References

Anagrams

• polymictic