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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary con·de·scend ETYMOLOGY Middle English, from Anglo-French condescendre,from Late Latin condescendere, from Latin com- + descendere to descend DATE 14th century 1. a. to descend to a less formal or dignified level : unbend b. to waive the privileges of rank 2. to assume an air of superiority English Etymology condescend mid-14c., from O.Fr . condescendere, from L.L. condescendere"to let oneself down," from L. com- "together" + descendere"descend." Originally "to yield deferentially;" sense of "to sink willingly to equal terms with inferiors" is from 1610s.http://O.Fr Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7 condescend con·des·cend / 7kCndi5send; NAmE 7kB:n- / verb1. [V to inf] (often disapproving) to do sth that you think it is below your social or professional position to do 屈尊；俯就 SYN deign : We had to wait almost an hour before he condescended to see us. 我们等了几乎一小时他才屈尊大驾来见我们。 2. [V] ~ to sb to behave towards sb as though you are more important and more intelligent than they are (对某人)表现出优越感: When giving a talk, be careful not to condescend to your audience. 发表讲话时,注意别对听众表现出高人一等的样子。 • con·des·cen·sion / 7kCndi5senFn; NAmE 7kB:n- / noun [U] : Her smile was a mixture of pity and condescension. 她的微笑中夹杂着怜悯与傲慢。 Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged con·de·scend \ˈkändə̇|send, -dē|-\ verb (-ed/-ing/-s) Etymology: Middle English condescenden, from Middle French condescendre, from Late Latin condescendere, from Latin com- + descendere to descend — more at descend intransitive verb 1. obsolete : to go or come down : descend 2. : to stoop or bend to action or speech less formal or dignified than is customary in one's social rank or importance : come down to the level of one socially inferior : unbend < why, if he so dislikes and despises these people, does he condescend to mix with them — F.A.Swinnerton > 3. : to assume an air of superiority (as to one inferior or less fortunate) : act patronizingly < well-fed tourists on their condescending way through less happy lands > — often used in irony < if you will condescend to talk to a simple girl in intelligible terms — T.L.Peacock > 4. obsolete : acquiesce , consent 5. now chiefly Scotland : to make a settlement or specification — usually used with on or upon < the declaration was made to condescend upon particulars > transitive verb obsolete : to agree upon : settle upon : concede |
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