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condescend

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To condescend is to talk to someone in a way that makes it clear you believe that you are better and smarter.

(verb)

An example of condescend is if you explain something to an adult with slow, deliberate words as if you were talking to a child.

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See condescend in Webster's New World College Dictionary

intransitive verb

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
to deal with others in a proud or haughty way
Obsolete to make concessions; agree; assent

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

See condescend in American Heritage Dictionary 4

intransitive verb con·de·scend·ed, con·de·scend·ing, con·de·scends

To descend to the level of one considered inferior; lower oneself. See Synonyms at stoop¹.
To deal with people in a patronizingly superior manner.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English condescenden

Origin: , from Old French condescendre

Origin: , from Late Latin condēscendere

Origin: : Latin com-, intensive pref.; see com-

Origin: + dēscendere, to descend; see descend

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Related Forms:

conˌde·scendˈer noun

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