Library / English Dictionary

CONDESCEND

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Treat condescendingly

Synonyms:

condescend; patronise; patronize

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "condescend" is one way to...):

interact (act together or towards others or with others)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "condescend"):

stoop to (make concessions to)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Somebody ----s PP

Derivation:

condescension (a communication that indicates lack of respect by patronizing the recipient)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Debase oneself morally, act in an undignified, unworthy, or dishonorable way

Example:

I won't stoop to reading other people's mail

Synonyms:

condescend; lower oneself; stoop

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "condescend" is one way to...):

act; move (perform an action, or work out or perform (an action))

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s PP

Sense 3

Meaning:

Do something that one considers to be below one's dignity

Synonyms:

condescend; deign; descend

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "condescend" is one way to...):

act; move (perform an action, or work out or perform (an action))

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE

Sense 4

Meaning:

Behave in a patronizing and condescending manner

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "condescend" is one way to...):

act; move (perform an action, or work out or perform (an action))

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s PP
Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE

Derivation:

condescension (affability to your inferiors and temporary disregard for differences of position or rank)

Credits

 Context examples: 

After the first I have not condescended to show such corroborative proofs as I possess.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He is the kind of man, indeed, to whom I should never dare refuse anything, which he condescended to ask.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

She was quite one of her worthies—the most amiable, affable, delightful woman—just as accomplished and condescending as Mrs. Elton meant to be considered.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

At first, indeed, I did not feel that natural awe, which the Yahoos and all other animals bear toward them; but it grew upon me by decrees, much sooner than I imagined, and was mingled with a respectful love and gratitude, that they would condescend to distinguish me from the rest of my species.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

Elinor joyfully profited by the first of these proposals, and thus by a little of that address which Marianne could never condescend to practise, gained her own end, and pleased Lady Middleton at the same time.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

At the same time, my dear, if they should condescend to reply to your communications—which our joint experience renders most improbable—far be it from me to be a barrier to your wishes.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Would not condescend to talk with him at all.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Only Jackson, Belcher, Mendoza, and one or two others of the senior and more famous men remained silent, thinking it beneath their dignity that they should condescend to so irregular a bye-battle.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

But she is perfectly amiable, and often condescends to drive by my humble abode in her little phaeton and ponies.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

Once only did they condescend to discuss them.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)