condescension

[ kon-duh-sen-shuh n ]

/ ˌkɒn dəˈsɛn ʃən /

an act or instance of condescending.

behavior that is patronizing or condescending.

voluntary assumption of equality with a person regarded as inferior.

Origin of condescension

First recorded in 1635–45, condescension is from the Late Latin word condēscēnsiōn- (stem of condēscēnsiō). See con-, descension

con·de·scen·sive

[kon-duh-sen-siv] /ˌkɒn dəˈsɛn sɪv/, adjective con·de·scen·sive·ly, adverb non·con·de·scen·sion, noun

President Kennedy smiled without a hint of condescension and extended a hand to Douglas that was at once firm and remarkably soft.

Michael Daly: My Last Day With JFK |Michael Daly |November 11, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
The men in The Group behave with glibness, condescension, and even brutality toward the Vassar grads.

American Dreams, 1963: ‘The Group’ by Mary McCarthy |Nathaniel Rich |July 25, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
Ironically, their claims of condescension are condescending themselves.

GOP: Respect Women or Keep Losing |Kirsten Powers |November 8, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
Earlier in the book, Murray waxed indignant about the "condescension toward the rabble" he detected in the new upper class.

Social Science Minus the Science |David Frum |February 8, 2012 |DAILY BEAST

They take on a protective stance in public, and they exude insecurity in their condescension.

A Toast to Fabulous Women |Robin Givhan |November 8, 2011 |DAILY BEAST
This condescension seemed to have no other effect than that of encouraging their arrogance.

The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle, Volume I |Tobias Smollett
M. Le Mesge smiled with condescension, meantime winking at Morhange with the eye nearest to him.

Atlantida |Pierre Benoit
I do not know how to acknowledge with sufficient humility the condescension and great kindness of your lordship's letter.

The Eustace Diamonds |Anthony Trollope
No condescension is needed, but ascension to a free and ready flight of fancy.

Special Method in Primary Reading and Oral Work with Stories |Charles Alexander McMurry
C's breeziness had in it a touch of condescension, or D's brusqueness was the brusqueness of assumed superiority.

The Knack of Managing |Lewis K. Urquhart and Herbert Watson

condescension

/ (ˌkɒndɪˈsɛnʃən) /

the act or an instance of behaving in a patronizing way