condescend

views updated May 29 2018

con·de·scend / ˌkändəˈsend/ • v. [intr.] show feelings of superiority; patronize: take care not to condescend to your reader. ∎  do something in a haughty way, as though it is below one's dignity or level of importance: we'll be waiting for twenty minutes before she condescends to appear.DERIVATIVES: con·de·scend·ence / -ˈsendəns/ n. ( rare ).con·de·scen·sion / -ˈsenchən/ n.

condescend

views updated May 23 2018

condescend †settle down to XIV; bend down to, be complaisant, agree XV. — (O)F. condescendre — ecclL. condēscendere stoop (fig.), in medL. accede, agree to, f. CON- + dēscendere DESCEND.
So condescension XVII. — ecclL.