deign
- to think fit or in accordance with one's dignity; condescend: He would not deign to discuss the matter with us.
- to condescend to give or grant: He deigned no reply.
- Obsolete. to condescend to accept.
Origin of deign
Examples from the Web for deign
Contemporary Examples of deign
Should we be grateful for whatever music they deign to release and grade them on a curve because of it?
Historical Examples of deign
General Wotherspoon did not deign to reply, but walked away.
The Devil's DictionaryAmbrose Bierce
Mrs. Beasley, whether she heard or not, did not deign to reply.
Cy Whittaker's PlaceJoseph C. Lincoln
She would not ask questions or deign to appear excited, not she.
The Rise of Roscoe PaineJoseph C. Lincoln
I think he had not thought of the anchor, but he did not deign to explain.
The Rise of Roscoe PaineJoseph C. Lincoln
Victor, whose foot was on the step of the car, did not deign to turn.
The Rise of Roscoe PaineJoseph C. Lincoln
deign
- (intr) to think it fit or worthy of oneself (to do something); condescendhe will not deign to speak to us
- (tr) archaic to vouchsafehe deigned no reply
Word Origin for deign
Word Origin and History for deign
c.1300, from Old French deignier (Modern French daigner), from Latin dignari "to deem worthy or fit" (source of Italian degnare, Spanish deñar), from dignus "worthy" (see dignity). Sense of "take or accept graciously" led to that of "condescend" (1580s). Related: Deigned; deigning.