condescend

verb condescends · condescending · condescended · condescend

1. intransitive, obsolete To come down or go down; to descend. To ſtoop to any ſordid lovv Action, is to imitate the Kite, vvhich flyeth high in the Air, yet vouchſafes to condeſcend to Carrion upon the Ground.
2. figuratively, intransitive To come down from a superior position and do something; to deign; (with a negative connotation) to stoop. The boss condescended not to sack him after much persuasion from his coworkers.
3. figuratively, intransitive To treat someone as though inferior; to talk down to someone; to patronize. Miss Crawley's graciousness was also remarkable. She continued her raptures about little Amelia, talked about her before her face as if she were a doll, or a servant, or a picture, and admired her with the most benevolent wonder possible. I admire that admiration which the genteel world sometimes ex
4. figuratively, intransitive Chiefly followed by on or upon: to go into detail; to particularize, to specify. The whole of his work consists of digested and transformed experience presented to you under arrangements new to himself. It is all true, except as to "the way it is put," and you feel that it is true—that is, if the work be good of the kind; but you can not "condescend upon particulars" as to when
5. figuratively, intransitive, obsolete To agree to something; to accede, to assent, to consent; also, to reach an agreement. Than were they condeſended that Kyng Arthure and syr mordred ſhold mete betwyxte bothe theyr hooſtes and eueryche of them shold brynge fourtene persones […]

   Opposite: discondescend

6. figuratively, intransitive, obsolete To give way or yield in a deferential manner; to be amenable or compliant. Henricus the Emperour [Henry V, Holy Roman Emperor] fearing þᵉ vaine thūderbolt of the Popes curse, talking with his princes, and perswaded by his frendes, was fain to condescend to the vnreasonable conditions of the Pope: […]
7. figuratively, intransitive, obsolete To graciously give; to vouchsafe. [W]hen John [the author of the Gospel of John] asks thee [Jesus] a queſtion […] thou condeſcendeſt to a mild and full (though ſecret) ſatisfaction.
8. figuratively, intransitive, obsolete To reach a certain point; to settle on. [H]is Ho[liness] hath, & contynually doth deſire them vvith ſpede to condeſcend to oon opinion, or other, & to ſhevv their ſentence in theſe Articles, VVhether in ther opinions the cauſes vvherupon the Matrimony ſhold be declared nought, & the Diſpenſation void, be ſufficient in the lavv, or not.
9. figuratively, intransitive, obsolete To secretly make plans, usually to bring about a bad or illegal result; to conspire, to plot. [S]he perſwaded the Duke of Clarence, that it was neyther naturall, nor honorable to him eyther to condiſcende or take parte againſt the houſe of Yorke, (of which he was lineally diſcended) and to ſet vp agayne the houſe of Lancaſtre, […]
10. nonstandard, rare, transitive To treat (someone) as though inferior; to talk down to (someone); to patronize. I didn't mean to condescend you, Mr. Shreck.

    Similar: belittle

11. obsolete, transitive Often preceded by the dummy pronoun it: to agree to (something); to consent. It was condescended by the warring parties that they should lay down their arms and seek peace.