condescend
Translation
to condescend, to patronise, to deign
Examples
He condescends to speak to his junior employees.
He condescends to speak to his junior employees.
She would not condescend to answer such a silly question.
She would not condescend to answer such a silly question.
Grammar Patterns
((to-inf)) to behave as if you are superior to other people He condescends to speak to his employees.
Similar Words
Synonyms: patronise, deign, stoop
Etymology
From Latin 'con-' (with) + 'descendere' (to descend). The idea is of someone 'descending with' others, implying they are coming down from a higher level.
Memory Tips
Picture someone 'descending' from a high horse to talk to you. The 'con-' adds a sense of doing it 'with' you, but not as an equal.