Compromised

Part of speech: adjective, verb

Definitions

1. Being in a situation where concessions have led to a decrease in strength or security
2. Having suffered a loss in strength, safety, or integrity due to giving in or being exposed ; harmed or diminished in condition or effectiveness
3. Affected by an agreement or exposure that reduces robustness or defense ; having its original quality or performance impaired or spoiled

Etymology: "Compromised" is simply "compromise" with the ending "-ed" added, so its story is really the story of the verb it comes from. The "-ed" ending descends from an old Germanic past-tense marker, which is why adding it to a verb produces a past form such as "compromised". The adjective sense, describing something weakened or made vulnerable, grew out of that participle, so a compromised password or a compromised immune system is described as having been damaged by something that gave way. The sense of "compromise" behind it is the older one. In English it first meant a settlement reached by mutual concession, and the idea of putting something at risk or exposing it to danger came from the notion of a thing being put into a dangerous position as part of such an arrangement. Once that sense of exposure was established, the participle could describe anything that had been weakened by giving in or being left open.

Synonyms: endangered, jeopardized

Antonyms: protected, secured