Hypertext Webster Gateway: "condescend"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

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.

Can they think me so broken, so debased With
corporal servitude, that my mind ever Will
condescend to such absurd commands? --Milton.

Spain's mighty monarch, In gracious clemency, does
condescend, On these conditions, to become your
friend. --Dryden.

Note: Often used ironically, implying an assumption of
superiority.

Those who thought they were honoring me by
condescending to address a few words to me. --F.
W. Robinson.

2. To consent. [Obs.]

All parties willingly condescended heruento. --R.
Carew.

Syn: To yield; stoop; descend; deign; vouchsafe.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

condescend
v 1: behave in a patronizing and condescending manner
2: do something that one considers to be below one's dignity
[syn: {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: {stoop}, {lower oneself}]
4: treat condescendingly [syn: {patronize}, {patronise}]

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