From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishcondescendcon‧de‧scend /ˌkɒndɪˈsend $ ˌkɑːn-/ verb [intransitive] 1 RUDE/IMPOLITEto behave as if you think you are better, more intelligent, or more important than other people – used to show disapprovalcondescend to Take care not to condescend to your readers.2 PROUDto do something in a way that shows you think it is below your social or professional position – used to show disapprovalcondescend to do something ‘Yes. I know, ’ Clara said, condescending to look at Rose for the first time. —condescension /-ˈsenʃən/ noun [uncountable]→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
condescend• George talks to the jury in their own language, but he doesn't condescend.• They did more; they came to a banquet in his palace; they condescended to dine with him.• Those who condescend to visit these miserable tenements can testify that neither health nor decency can be preserved in them.condescend to• He might condescend to attend at half-time if there wasn't a party or a bird somewhere.• They did more; they came to a banquet in his palace; they condescended to dine with him.• But Fred was just a steward, and I had to pretend in a superior way to condescend to him.• He would not see me there; he condescended to see me at my hotel.• And with Earl Robert the saint condescended to tease him with a paradox!• He was condescending to the dancers.• The best young people's magazines do not condescend to their readers.• Yet, although we condescended to those around, middle-class people weren't enthusiastic about us.• Those who condescend to visit these miserable tenements can testify that neither health nor decency can be preserved in them.condescend to do something• He might condescend to attend at half-time if there wasn't a party or a bird somewhere.• They did more; they came to a banquet in his palace; they condescended to dine with him.• Do you think the CEO would ever condescend to have lunch with us in the cafeteria?• But Fred was just a steward, and I had to pretend in a superior way to condescend to him.• He would not see me there; he condescended to see me at my hotel.• And with Earl Robert the saint condescended to tease him with a paradox!• He was condescending to the dancers.• Yet, although we condescended to those around, middle-class people weren't enthusiastic about us.• Those who condescend to visit these miserable tenements can testify that neither health nor decency can be preserved in them.Origin condescend (1300-1400) French condescendre, from Late Latin condescendere, from Latin com- ( → COM-) + descendere “to go down” 