deign

[ deyn ]
/ deɪn /

verb (used without object)

to think fit or in accordance with one's dignity; condescend: He would not deign to discuss the matter with us.

verb (used with object)

to condescend to give or grant: He deigned no reply.
Obsolete. to condescend to accept.

Origin of deign

1250–1300; Middle English deinen < Old French deignier < Latin dignārī to judge worthy, equivalent to dign(us) worthy + -ārī infinitive suffix

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH deign

deign dine

Example sentences from the Web for deign

British Dictionary definitions for deign

deign
/ (deɪn) /

verb

(intr) to think it fit or worthy of oneself (to do something); condescend he will not deign to speak to us
(tr) archaic to vouchsafe he deigned no reply

Word Origin for deign

C13: from Old French deignier, from Latin dignārī to consider worthy, from dignus worthy