condescending
[ kon-duh-sen-ding ]
/ ˌkɒn dəˈsɛn dɪŋ /
adjective
showing or implying a usually patronizing descent from dignity or superiority: They resented the older neighbors' condescending cordiality.
Origin of condescending
First recorded in 1630–40;
condescend +
-ing2
SYNONYMS FOR condescending
OTHER WORDS FROM condescending
Words nearby condescending
condensed-matter physics,
condenser,
condensing osteitis,
condescend,
condescendence,
condescending,
condescension,
condign,
condignity,
condillac,
condiment
Definition for condescending (2 of 2)
condescend
[ kon-duh-send ]
/ ˌkɒn dəˈsɛnd /
verb (used without object)
to behave as if one is conscious of descending from a superior position, rank, or dignity.
to stoop or deign to do something: He would not condescend to misrepresent the facts.
to put aside one's dignity or superiority voluntarily and assume equality with one regarded as inferior: He condescended to their intellectual level in order to be understood.
Obsolete.
- to yield.
- to assent.
Origin of condescend
OTHER WORDS FROM condescend
con·des·cend·er, con·des·cend·ent, nounExample sentences from the Web for condescending
British Dictionary definitions for condescending (1 of 2)
condescending
/ (ˌkɒndɪˈsɛndɪŋ) /
adjective
showing or implying condescension by stooping to the level of one's inferiors, esp in a patronizing way
Derived forms of condescending
condescendingly, adverbBritish Dictionary definitions for condescending (2 of 2)
condescend
/ (ˌkɒndɪˈsɛnd) /
verb (intr)
to act graciously towards another or others regarded as being on a lower level; behave patronizingly
to do something that one regards as below one's dignity
Word Origin for condescend
C14: from Church Latin
condēscendere to stoop, condescend, from Latin
dēscendere to
descend