deign

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Contents

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

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

[edit] Pronunciation

[edit] Verb

Infinitive
to deign

Third person singular
deigns

Simple past
deigned

Past participle
deigned

Present participle
deigning

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