condign
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of condign
1375–1425; late Middle English condigne < Anglo-French, Middle French < Latin condignus, equivalent to con- con- + dignus worthy; see dignity
Explanation
Use the adjective condign to describe a fair and fitting punishment, like the condign clean-up work assigned to a group of students after they made a big mess. There are two ways to correctly pronounce condign: "CON-dine" or "con-DINE." The word comes from Latin: con- means "together, altogether" and dignus means "worthy." So, something that is condign is deserved or appropriate. It especially applies to a punishment that is severe but just, meaning the punishment is appropriate for the crime.
Vocabulary lists containing condign
Twelve Years a Slave
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Love's Labour's Lost
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Nicholas Nickleby
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Condign merit supposes an equality between service and return.
From Grace, Actual and Habitual A Dogmatic Treatise by Preuss, Arthur
Condign means "suitable" or "deserved," not necessarily severe.
From Word Study and English Grammar A Primer of Information about Words, Their Relations and Their Uses by Hamilton, Frederick W. (Frederick William)
Mar. The woman is a little Mischievous; but your Lordship shall see I'll bring her to Condign Punnishment.
From The Female Wits by Anonymous
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
