vouchsafe
[ vouch-seyf ]
/ vaʊtʃˈseɪf /
verb (used with object), vouch·safed, vouch·saf·ing.
to grant or give, as by favor, graciousness, or condescension: to vouchsafe a reply to a question.
to allow or permit, as by favor or graciousness: They vouchsafed his return to his own country.
verb (used without object), vouch·safed, vouch·saf·ing.
to condescend; deign.
Nearby words
Related formsvouch·safe·ment, nounun·vouch·safed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for vouchsafe
British Dictionary definitions for vouchsafe
vouchsafe
/ (ˌvaʊtʃˈseɪf) /
verb (tr)
to give or grant or condescend to give or grantshe vouchsafed no reply; he vouchsafed me no encouragement
(may take a clause as object or an infinitive) to agree, promise, or permit, often graciously or condescendinglyhe vouchsafed to come yesterday
obsolete
- to warrant as being safe
- to bestow as a favour (upon)
Derived Formsvouchsafement, noun
Word Origin for vouchsafe
C14: vouchen sauf; see vouch, safe
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for vouchsafe
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper