condescend

• POS: Verb (intransitive)
• HYPHEN: con=de=scend

CIDE DICTIONARY

condescend, v. i. [F. condescendre, LL. condescendere, fr. L. con- + descendere. See Descend.].

•  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.  Rom. xii. 16.  [1913 Webster]

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

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

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

  "Those who thought they were honoring me by condescending to address a few words to me."  [1913 Webster]
•  To consent.  [1913 Webster]

  "All parties willingly condescended heruento."

Syn. -- To yield; stoop; descend; deign; vouchsafe.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

condescend, v.intr.
1 (usu. foll. by to + infin.) be gracious enough (to do a thing) esp. while showing one's sense of dignity or superiority (condescended to attend the meeting).
2 (foll. by to) behave as if one is on equal terms with (an inferior), usu. while maintaining an attitude of superiority.
3 (as condescending adj.) patronizing; kind to inferiors.

Derivative

condescendingly adv.

Etymology

ME f. OF condescendre f. eccl.L condescendere (as com-, descend)

THESAURUS

condescend

OK, accede to, accept, accord to, agree to, approve, approve of, assent, be willing, bridle, connive at, consent, consent to silently, deal with, deign, descend, endorse, give consent, go along with, grant, have no objection, hold with, lower oneself, nod, nod assent, not refuse, okay, patronize, permit, ratify, sanction, say aye, say yes, stoop, take kindly to, toss the head, treat, vote affirmatively, vote aye, vouchsafe, wink at, yield assent

ROGET THESAURUS

condescend

Humility

VB be humble, deign, vouchsafe, condescend, humble oneself, demean oneself, stoop, stoop to conquer, carry coals, submit, submit with a good grace, yield the palm, lower one's tone, lower one's note, sing small, draw in one's horns, sober down, hide one's face, hide one's diminished head, not dare to show one's face, take shame to oneself, not have a word to say for oneself, feel shame, be conscious of shame, feel disgrace, be conscious of disgrace, drink the cup of humiliation to the dregs, blush for, blush up to the eves, redden, change color, color up, hang one's head, look foolish, feel small, render humble, humble, humiliate, let down, set down, take down, tread down, frown down, snub, abash, abase, make one sing small, strike dumb, teach one his distance, put down, take down a peg, take down a peg lower, throw into the shade, cast into the shade, stare out of countenance, put out of countenance, put to the blush, confuse, ashame, mortify, disgrace, crush, send away with a flea in one's ear, get a setdown.