condescend Hear it!

condescend Definition

con·de·scend (kän′di send′)

intransitive verb

  1. to descend voluntarily to the level, regarded as lower, of the person one is dealing with; be graciously willing to do something regarded as beneath one's dignity; deign
  2. to deal with others in a proud or haughty way
  3. Obsolete to make concessions; agree; assent

Etymology: ME condescenden < OFr condescendre < LL(Ec) condescendere, to let oneself down, condescend < L com-, together + descendere, descend

condescend Synonyms

condescend

v.

vouchsafe, stoop, deign, lower oneself, humble oneself, demean oneself, degrade oneself, submit with good grace, patronize, assume a patronizing air, assume a superior air, talk down to, lower one's tone, graciously stoop, unbend, accommodate oneself to (one regarded as inferior), descend, waive a privilege, favor, accord, come down off one's high horse*, come down a peg*, sing small*; see also patronize 2.

condescend implies a voluntary descent by one high in rank, power, etc. to act graciously or affably toward one regarded as his inferior the general condescended to talk with the private; stoop implies a descending in dignity, as by committing some shameful or immoral act to stoop to cheating; deign connotes unwilling or arrogant condescension the duchess deigned to shake my hand and, hence, is most frequently used in negative constructions or with such qualifications as hardly, scarcely, barely she didn't deign to reply; he would scarcely deign to appear in public

condescend Usage Examples

Used with why or when

  • what: Honda makes great little cars and in case that sounds condescending what I mean is that it makes great little cars.

Preposition: in

  • way: Perhaps a mite condescending in the way it was depicted, maybe even a little patronizing.

Infinitive complement

  • accept: But if you have why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to accept anything under the three figures?
  • speak: I like him because he condescends to speak to me; he likes me because I make him feel good about himself.
  • take: I could not condescend to take any notice of their indiscretion.
  • tell: And now since you have behaved like a good sort of fellow in the dark, I will condescend to tell you why.
  • give: We were all presented to him, and to each he condescended to give a nod.
  • make: The artist would hardly condescend to make a baby laugh if nobody else laughed, or even listened.

Modifying Another Word

  • even: They did not even condescend to talk to Congress.
  • not: The Thunder Emperor does not condescend to mortals, let alone bed them.
  • n't: He does not judge me, does n't condescend; he seems comfortable in my presence.
  • never: He may be amused by a foreigner as by a monkey, but he will never condescend to study him with any patience.
  • so: That is so condescending and will win you many an argument!
  • graciously: At the same time they have an eye for the governess cart and have condescended graciously to speak to us of two cylinder cars.

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • upon: The claim was to be jumped next morning, that was all that she would condescend upon.
condescend Quotes

Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate.Benot wise inyourown conceits.Recompenseto no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written,Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

—Bible (NewTestament)