deign
[ deyn ]
/ deɪn /
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verb (used without object)
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)
to condescend to give or grant: He deigned no reply.
Obsolete. to condescend to accept.
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Origin of deign
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
deign , dineDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use deign in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for deign
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
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