condescend
pronunciation
How to pronounce condescend in British English:
UK [ˌkɒndɪˈsend]
How to pronounce condescend in American English:
US [ˌkɑndɪˈsend]
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- Verb:
- behave in a patronizing and condescending manner
- do something that one considers to be below one's dignity
- debase oneself morally, act in an undignified, unworthy, or dishonorable way
- treat condescendingly
Word Origin
- condescend (adj.)
- mid-14c., "to yield deferentially," from Old French condescendere (14c.) "to agree, consent, give in, yield," from Late Latin condescendere "to let oneself down," from Latin com- "together" (see com-) + descendere "descend" (see descend). Sense of "to sink willingly to equal terms with inferiors" is from mid-15c.
Example
- 1. She did not condescend to have dinner with him .
- 2. Perhaps your father would condescend to help with the washing-up !
- 3. I wont strive for suiting others then condescend to myself .
- 4. Will you condescend to argue with him ?
- 5. I do wish he wouldn 't condescend to the junior staff in his department .