deign

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Verb 1.3.1 Translations

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Middle English deignen, from Old French deignier (“‘consider worthy’”), from Latin digno (“‘consider worthy’”) from dignus (“‘worthy’”)

[edit] Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -eɪn
• Homophones: Dane

[edit] Verb

to deign (third-person singular simple present deigns, present participle deigning, simple past and past participle deigned)

1. (intransitive) To condescend; to accept as appropriate to one's dignity.

   He didn't even deign to give us a nod of the head; he thought us that far beneath him.

2. (transitive) To condescend to give; to do something.

   They didn't deign us our clothing before we were put outside.

[edit] Translations