condescend

C2+ Topic:Actions & Processes
US /ˌkɑndɪˈsɛnd/ UK /ˌkɒndɪˈsɛnd/
verb

Meanings

  1. 1
    verb

    to behave as though superior; to deign

    He would not condescend to explain himself to subordinates.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 verb · to behave as though... patronizedeignstoopvouchsafelower

Etymology

From Old French condescendre, from Late Latin condescendere ('to stoop, accommodate oneself'), from Latin com- ('together') + descendere ('to descend'), from de- ('down') + scandere ('to climb').

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