1.
[syn: arch, condescending, patronizing, patronising]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
condescending \condescending\ adj.
exhibiting an attitude of superiority; patronizing; -- used
of behavior or attitude.
Syn: arch, patronizing.
[WordNet 1.5]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Condescend \Con`de*scend"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Condescended;
p. pr. & vb. n. Condescending.] [F. condescendre, LL.
condescendere, fr. L. con- + descendere. See Descend.]
1. To stoop or descend; to let one's self down; to submit; to
waive the privilege of rank or dignity; to accommodate
one's self to an inferior. "Condescend to men of low
estate." --Rom. xii. 16.
[1913 Webster]
Can they think me so broken, so debased
With corporal servitude, that my mind ever
Will condescend to such absurd commands? --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
Spain's mighty monarch,
In gracious clemency, does condescend,
On these conditions, to become your friend.
--Dryden.
[1913 Webster]
Note: Often used ironically, implying an assumption of
superiority.
[1913 Webster]
Those who thought they were honoring me by
condescending to address a few words to me. --F.
W. Robinson.
[1913 Webster]
2. To consent. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
All parties willingly condescended heruento. --R.
Carew.
Syn: To yield; stoop; descend; deign; vouchsafe.
[1913 Webster] Condescendence
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
condescending
adj 1: (used of behavior or attitude) characteristic of those
who treat others with condescension [syn: arch,
condescending, patronizing, patronising]
Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0:
34 Moby Thesaurus words for "condescending":
arrogant, belittling, big, contemptuous, disdainful, domineering,
haughty, high-faluting, high-flown, high-handed, high-hat,
high-headed, high-nosed, hoity-toity, imperious, lofty,
overbearing, patronizing, pompous, priggish, proud, purse-proud,
sniffy, snippy, snobbish, snobby, snooty, snotty, stuck-up,
superior, toplofty, uppish, uppity, upstage