Concession

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /kənˈsɛʃən/

Definitions

1. Something granted or given up, often reluctantly, during a negotiation or to end a disagreement
2. An agreement made where one side yields certain demands to the other, often in order to reach a compromise or resolution
3. A compromise formed when parties involved make sacrifices or allowances to facilitate mutual agreement or understanding

Etymology: The noun in question traces back to Latin, where "concessio" meant "a yielding, granting, or allowing." This came from the verb "concedere," which itself combines "con-" (together) and "cedere" (to go, yield). The idea here is one party stepping back or giving way, often in a negotiation or dispute, to another. Entering English around the late Middle Ages, the term initially carried the sense of yielding ground or making allowances, especially in legal or diplomatic contexts. It was frequently used to describe permissions or rights formally granted by authorities, such as a king or landowner, to an individual or group. Over time, the scope of the word broadened beyond formal grants to include any act of compromise or reluctant acceptance. This semantic shift mirrors social interactions where yielding is not necessarily a legal transaction but an acknowledgment of another’s position or demand. Its connection to the verb "concede" is direct and essential—the noun embodies the act or result of conceding. The shift from a concrete legal or physical yielding to more abstract social or political compromises highlights the evolution of the term’s usage through centuries of English.

Synonyms: compromise, grant

Antonyms: refusal, denial