Complicit

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /kÉ™mˈplɪs.ɪt/
• Rhymes: -ɪsɪt

Origin

Back-formation from {{3}}, most likely, hence from French complicité, from complice ("partner, accomplice"), from Latin complex, complicem ("partner").

Full definition of complicit

Adjective

1. Associated with or participating in an activity, especially one of a questionable nature.
• 1861, Henry M. Wheeler, The Slaves' Champion, p. 203,It slavery has set the seal of a complicit, guilty silence upon the most orthodox pulpits and the saintliest tongues, ...
• 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