deign
[deyn]
verb (used without object)
to think fit or in accordance with one's dignity; condescend: He would not deign to discuss the matter with us.
verb (used with object)
to condescend to give or grant: He deigned no reply.
Obsolete. to condescend to accept.
Origin of deign
1250–1300; Middle English deinen < Old French deignier < Latin dignārī to judge worthy, equivalent to dign(us) worthy + -ārī infinitive suffix
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
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
verb
Word Origin for deign
C13: from Old French deignier, from Latin dignārī to consider worthy, from dignus worthy
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper