deign

[ deyn ]
See synonyms for: deigndeigned on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)
  1. to think it appropriate to or in accordance with one's dignity; condescend: He would not deign to discuss the matter with us.

verb (used with object)
  1. to condescend to give or grant: He deigned no reply.

  2. Obsolete. to condescend to accept.

Origin of deign

1
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English deinen, de(i)gnen, from Old French de(i)gnier, from Latin dignārī, dignāre “to judge worthy,” equivalent to dign(us) “worthy” + -ārī infinitive suffix

Words that may be confused with deign

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How to use deign in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for deign

deign

/ (deɪn) /


verb
  1. (intr) to think it fit or worthy of oneself (to do something); condescend: he will not deign to speak to us

  2. (tr) archaic to vouchsafe: he deigned no reply

Origin of deign

1
C13: from Old French deignier, from Latin dignārī to consider worthy, from dignus worthy

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