Condescend

Condescend
Condescend Con`de*scend", v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Condescended}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Condescending}.] [F. condescendre, LL. condescendere, fr. L. con- + descendere. See {Descend}.] 1. To stoop or descend; to let one's self down; to submit; to waive the privilege of rank or dignity; to accommodate one's self to an inferior. ``Condescend to men of low estate.'' --Rom. xii. 16. [1913 Webster]

Can they think me so broken, so debased With corporal servitude, that my mind ever Will condescend to such absurd commands? --Milton. [1913 Webster]

Spain's mighty monarch, In gracious clemency, does condescend, On these conditions, to become your friend. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

Note: Often used ironically, implying an assumption of superiority. [1913 Webster]

Those who thought they were honoring me by condescending to address a few words to me. --F. W. Robinson. [1913 Webster]

2. To consent. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

All parties willingly condescended heruento. --R. Carew.

Syn: To yield; stoop; descend; deign; vouchsafe. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • condescend — [kän΄di send′] vi. [ME condescenden < OFr condescendre < LL(Ec) condescendere, to let oneself down, condescend < L com , together + descendere,DESCEND] 1. to descend voluntarily to the level, regarded as lower, of the person one is… …   English World dictionary

  • condescend — I (deign) verb accommodate oneself, accord, be courteous, be gracious, descend, descendere, disregard prestige, grant, humble oneself, lower oneself, sacrifice pride, se submittere, stoop, tolerate, unbend, vouchsafe, waive privilege, yield II… …   Law dictionary

  • condescend — mid 14c., to yield deferentially, from O.Fr. condescendere (14c.) to agree, consent, give in, yield, from L.L. condescendere to let oneself down, from L. com together (see COM (Cf. com )) + descendere descend (see DESCEND (Cf. descend)). Sense of …   Etymology dictionary

  • condescend — *stoop, deign Analogous words: favor, accommodate, *oblige: vouchsafe, concede, *grant Antonyms: presume …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • condescend — [v] stoop, humble oneself accommodate, accord, acquiesce, agree, be courteous, bend, come down off high horse*, comply, concede, degrade oneself, deign, demean oneself, descend, favor, grant, high hat*, lower oneself, oblige, see fit, submit,… …   New thesaurus

  • condescend — ► VERB 1) show that one feels superior. 2) do something despite regarding it as below one s dignity: he condescended to see me at my hotel. DERIVATIVES condescension noun. ORIGIN Latin condescendere, from descendere descend …   English terms dictionary

  • condescend — v. (formal) 1) (d; intr.) to condescend to (to condescend to cheating) 2) (E) to condescend to mingle with the workers * * * [ˌkɒndɪ send] (E) to condescend to mingle with the workers (formal) (d; intr.) to condescend to (to condescend to… …   Combinatory dictionary

  • condescend — UK [ˌkɒndɪˈsend] / US [ˌkɑndəˈsend] verb [intransitive] Word forms condescend : present tense I/you/we/they condescend he/she/it condescends present participle condescending past tense condescended past participle condescended to behave in a way… …   English dictionary

  • condescend — con|de|scend [ˌkɔndıˈsend US ˌka:n ] v [Date: 1300 1400; : French; Origin: condescendre, from [i]Late Latin condescendere, from Latin com ( COM ) + descendere to go down ] 1.) to behave as if you think you are better, more intelligent, or more… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • condescend — con|de|scend [ ,kandə send ] verb intransitive to behave in a way that shows that you think you are more important or more intelligent than other people: condescend to: Try not to condescend to the children. condescend to do something: We waited… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

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