From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Condescend \Con`de*scend"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Condescended};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Condescending}.] [F. condescendre, LL.
condescendere, fr. L. con- + descendere. See {Descend}.]
1. To stoop or descend; to let one's self down; to submit; to
waive the privilege of rank or dignity; to accommodate
one's self to an inferior. "Condescend to men of low
estate." --Rom. xii. 16.
[1913 Webster]
Can they think me so broken, so debased
With corporal servitude, that my mind ever
Will condescend to such absurd commands? --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
Spain's mighty monarch,
In gracious clemency, does condescend,
On these conditions, to become your friend.
--Dryden.
[1913 Webster]
Note: Often used ironically, implying an assumption of
superiority.
[1913 Webster]
Those who thought they were honoring me by
condescending to address a few words to me. --F.
W. Robinson.
[1913 Webster]
2. To consent. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
All parties willingly condescended heruento. --R.
Carew.
Syn: To yield; stoop; descend; deign; vouchsafe.
[1913 Webster] Condescendence
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
condescend
v 1: behave in a patronizing and condescending manner
2: do something that one considers to be below one's dignity
[syn: {condescend}, {deign}, {descend}]
3: debase oneself morally, act in an undignified, unworthy, or
dishonorable way; "I won't stoop to reading other people's
mail" [syn: {condescend}, {stoop}, {lower oneself}]
4: treat condescendingly [syn: {patronize}, {patronise},
{condescend}]
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