CONDESCENDING • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Condescending

Add this Dictionary
to your website!
See more options...

/kˌɑndɪsˈɛndɪŋ/ Listen

verb

Condescend v. i. (past & past part. condescended; pres. part. condescending)

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." "Can they think me so broken, so debased With corporal servitude, that my mind ever Will condescend to such absurd commands?" "Spain's mighty monarch, In gracious clemency, does condescend, On these conditions, to become your friend." Note: Often used ironically, implying an assumption of superiority. "Those who thought they were honoring me by condescending to address a few words to me."

To consent. (Obs.) "All parties willingly condescended heruento."

Synonyms: To yield; stoop; descend; deign; vouchsafe.

adjective

condescending adj. Exhibiting an attitude of superiority; patronizing; used of behavior or attitude.

Synonyms: arch, patronizing.

See images of 'Condescending'

Etymology of 'Condescending'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

Share |

"Condescending" Quotes from Famous Books

... speaking comparatively," she said in a condescending tone, as she tilted her nose in the air. "I have heard before that one should not speak comparatively to boys of your age, and now ...

— The Rebellion of Margaret • Geraldine Mockler

... Rolf Krake, and was the most famous of all kings of olden times; moreover, he was more mild, brave and condescending than all other men. A proof of his condescension, which is very often spoken of in olden stories, was the following: There was a poor little fellow by name Vog. He once came into King Rolf's hall while the king was yet a young man, and of rather delicate ...

— The Younger Edda - Also called Snorre's Edda, or The Prose Edda • Snorre

... home much more gratified than she had expected, and told her son with much joy the condescending answer she had received from the sultan's own mouth; and that she was to come to the divan again that ...

— The Junior Classics, V5 • Edited by William Patten

... condescending to speak, had made a slight motion and frown of dissent, which the minister at his elbow saw. Doctor Prescott was his pillar of the sanctuary, upholding himself and his pulpit from financial and doctrinal ...

— Jerome, A Poor Man - A Novel • Mary E. Wilkins Freeman

... Earl had stalked into the room and stood, looking like a venerable aristocratic giant, staring at the woman from under his beetling brows, and not condescending a word. He simply stared at her, taking her in from head to foot as if she were some repulsive curiosity. He let her talk and demand until she was tired, without himself uttering a word, and then ...

— Little Lord Fauntleroy • Frances Hodgson Burnett

More quotes...