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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Condescension

Condescension \Con`de*scen"sion\, n. [L. condescensio.] The act of condescending; voluntary descent from one's rank or dignity in intercourse with an inferior; courtesy toward inferiors.

It forbids pride . . . and commands humility, modesty, and condescension to others.
--Tillotson.

Such a dignity and condescension . . . as are suitable to a superior nature.
--Addison.

Syn: Complaisance; courtesy; affability.

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
condescension

1640s, from Late Latin condescensionem, noun of action from past participle stem of condescendere (see condescend).

Wiktionary
condescension

n. The act of condescending; a manner of behaving toward others in an outwardly polite way that nevertheless implies one’s own superiority to the others; patronizing courtesy toward inferiors. (jump the act of condescending s)

WordNet
condescension
  1. n. the trait of displaying arrogance by patronizing those considered inferior [syn: superciliousness, disdainfulness]

  2. a communication that indicates lack of respect by patronizing the recipient [syn: disdain, patronage]

  3. affability to your inferiors and temporary disregard for differences of position or rank; "the queen's condescension was intended to make us feel comfortable" [syn: condescendingness]

Wikipedia
Condescension

Condescension may refer to:

  • A form of incivility wherein low status of the target is implied
  • Condescension (religion), a theological principle in Christianity

Usage examples of "condescension".

The female portion of the academy, disciplined by the fashionable example of the countess and the queen to a noble grace of bearing, a flattering condescension, mount the dais, an areopagus sometimes sixty strong.

The Bogo Boys responded with a good-natured condescension that suggested they were hated by a lot more interesting people than Macnamara.

The great Beau Brummell would not take this piece of condescension without retort.

In celebrating America, he was building a case against the traditional European condescension or outright hostility toward his adopted country--the kind of attitude whose locus classicus was in the sneer attributed to Georges Clemenceau which I quoted earlier.

Dudley that still retained its dignity, the sedateness, graceful condescension and personal elegance of Constantia, were new to the apprehension of Ormond.

Lady Athelridge and Lady Sutton shared gazes of condescension with each other.

Was it some Jacobinical strain in him, he wondered, that made his soul revolt against such arrogant condescension?

Now he was returning to his own people, and would bid his Roumi friend good-bye with the cordiality of one gentleman to another, though with a certain royal condescension fitted to the difference in their positions.

He informed us with magnificent condescension that he would be lecturing on Sakkara, the site we would visit the following day, as soon as Feisal finished his introductions.

As he was half amused and half curious and all in doubt how to get rid of the old lady without offence, she continued to lead us away, and he and Ada continued to follow, our strange conductress informing us all the time, with much smiling condescension, that she lived close by.

I happened to visit Dr. Warburton, who finding that I was acquainted with Johnson, desired me earnestly to carry his compliments to him, and to tell him that he honoured him for his manly behaviour in rejecting these condescensions of Lord Chesterfield, and for resenting the treatment he had received from him, with a proper spirit.

It is my custom, dearling, and hath been since I have first known thee, to proclaim by herald in such camps, townships, or fortalices as I may chance to visit, that my lady-love, being beyond compare the fairest and sweetest in Christendom, I should deem it great honor and kindly condescension if any cavalier would run three courses against me with sharpened lances, should he chance to have a lady whose claim he was willing to advance.

Matrimony, therefore, having removed all such motives, he grew weary of this condescension, and began to treat the opinions of his wife with that haughtiness and insolence, which none but those who deserve some contempt themselves can bestow, and those only who deserve no contempt can bear.

The truth is said to be that when Sir Leicester came down to Lincolnshire for good, Mr. Boythorn showed a manifest desire to abandon his right of way and do whatever Sir Leicester would, which Sir Leicester, conceiving to be a condescension to his illness or misfortune, took in such high dudgeon, and was so magnificently aggrieved by, that Mr.

But the affability of the former took the name of benignity and condescension, and the affability of the latter was full of harmless gaiety, and a cheerful and unpretending spirit of society.