- deign
- \ \ see DISDAIN
Word origins - 2ed. J. Ayto. 2005.
deign
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Deign — (d[=a]n), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Deigned} (d[=a]nd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Deigning}.] [OE. deinen, deignen, OF. degner, deigner, daigner, F. daigner, fr. L. dignari to deem worthy, deign, fr. dignus worthy; akin to decere to be fitting. See {Decent},… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Deign — Deign, v. i. To think worthy; to vouchsafe; to condescend; followed by an infinitive. [1913 Webster] O deign to visit our forsaken seats. Pope. [1913 Webster] Yet not Lord Cranstone deigned she greet. Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster] Round turned he … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
deign — [deın] v [Date: 1200 1300; : Old French; Origin: deignier, from Latin dignus deserving admiration ] deign to do sth to do something that you think you are really too important to do often used humorously ▪ Travis called after her, but she didn t… … Dictionary of contemporary English
deign — ► VERB (deign to do) ▪ do something that one considers to be beneath one s dignity. ORIGIN Latin dignare deem worthy , from dignus worthy … English terms dictionary
deign — [dān] vi. [ME deignen < OFr deignier < L dignare, dignari, to deem worthy < dignus, worthy: see DIGNITY] to condescend to do something thought to be slightly beneath one s dignity [the duchess deigned to shake my hand] vt. to condescend… … English World dictionary
deign — I verb allow, allow with condescension, be so good as to, condescend, descend, favor, grant, patronize, stoop, vouchsafe II index accede (concede), bestow, patronize (condescend toward) Burt … Law dictionary
deign — [ deın ] verb intransitive if someone deigns to do something, they do it but in a way that shows they are not willing: Mandy was the only person who deigned to speak to him … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
deign — c.1300, from O.Fr. deignier (Mod.Fr. daigner), from L. dignari to deem worthy or fit (Cf. It. degnare, Sp. deñar), from dignus worthy (see DIGNITY (Cf. dignity)). Sense of take or accept graciously led to that of condescend (1580s) … Etymology dictionary
deign — condescend, *stoop Analogous words: vouchsafe, accord, concede, *grant, award … New Dictionary of Synonyms
deign — [v] lower oneself condescend, consent, deem worthy, patronize, see fit*, stoop, think fit*, vouchsafe; concept 35 Ant. be proud, hold head high … New thesaurus
deign — UK [deɪn] / US verb [intransitive] Word forms deign : present tense I/you/we/they deign he/she/it deigns present participle deigning past tense deigned past participle deigned showing disapproval if someone deigns to do something, they do it but… … English dictionary
