deign

[ deyn ]

/ deɪn /

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.

Nearby words

deific, deification, deiform, deify, deighton, deign, deil, deimos, deindex, deindividuation, deindustrialization

Origin of deign

1250–1300; Middle English deinen < Old French deignier < Latin dignārī to judge worthy, equivalent to dign(us) worthy + -ārī infinitive suffix

Can be confused

deign dine

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for deigning

Chewing on a thick piece of gum, Moss ceremoniously pulled it out when deigning to talk.
Britain's Naughty 'It' Girls|Natasha Fraser-Cavassoni|May 11, 2009|DAILY BEAST
She took the seat at the end of the table without so much as deigning to glance at the new-comer.
Kidnapped at the Altar|Laura Jean Libbey
But John shook off her hand impatiently, not deigning even to respond to her look.
Hubert's Wife|Minnie Mary Lee
Deigning not, however, to remain longer with the guests, he sternly beckons to his attendants.
The Continental Monthly, Vol. 5, No. 5, May, 1864|Various

The Princess Anne, not deigning to associate with her, commanded that it should be forthwith closed.
The Wits and Beaux of Society|Grace Wharton and Philip Wharton
Buster asked, not deigning to continue the discussion with George.
Motor Boat Boys Down the Danube|Louis Arundel

British Dictionary definitions for deigning

deign

/ (deɪn) /

verb

(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

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012