Acquiescent

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /æˈkwi.ɛsn̩t/

Definitions

1. Demonstrating a submissive attitude toward requests or expectations without resistance
2. Ready to agree or accept something passively without resistance or objection
3. Showing readiness to yield or consent quietly without argument

Etymology: Latin "acquiescere" was built from "ad" ("to") and "quiescere" ("to rest, to become still"), so its core idea is coming to rest. "Quiescere" itself grew from "quies," meaning quiet or repose, which is also the source of English "quiet" through Old French. The Latin verb meant to find rest in something, to lie back and be at peace with it, and its present participle "acquiescens" gave English the adjective "acquiescent." English adopted the word from that Latin participle, and its meaning has stayed close to the original picture. Someone acquiescent is not enthusiastic or defiant; they have settled into going along, the way a body stops moving once it finds its resting place. The pull toward stillness in the Latin verb is why the word describes a yielding that looks calm from the outside.

Synonyms: compliant, agreeable, submissive, yielding, docile

Antonyms: defiant, resistant, rebellious, opposing, uncooperative