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CONDESCENSION
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I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Affability to your inferiors and temporary disregard for differences of position or rank
Example:
the queen's condescension was intended to make us feel comfortable
Synonyms:
condescendingness; condescension
Classified under:
Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects
Hypernyms ("condescension" is a kind of...):
affability; affableness; amiability; amiableness; bonhomie; geniality (a disposition to be friendly and approachable (easy to talk to))
Derivation:
condescend (behave in a patronizing and condescending manner)
Sense 2
Meaning:
The trait of displaying arrogance by patronizing those considered inferior
Synonyms:
condescension; disdainfulness; superciliousness
Classified under:
Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects
Hypernyms ("condescension" is a kind of...):
arrogance; haughtiness; hauteur; high-handedness; lordliness (overbearing pride evidenced by a superior manner toward inferiors)
Sense 3
Meaning:
A communication that indicates lack of respect by patronizing the recipient
Synonyms:
condescension; disdain; patronage
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Hypernyms ("condescension" is a kind of...):
depreciation; derogation; disparagement (a communication that belittles somebody or something)
Derivation:
condescend (treat condescendingly)
Context examples:
It is my custom, dearling, and hath been since I have first known thee, to proclaim by herald in such camps, townships, or fortalices as I may chance to visit, that my lady-love, being beyond compare the fairest and sweetest in Christendom, I should deem it great honor and kindly condescension if any cavalier would run three courses against me with sharpened lances, should he chance to have a lady whose claim he was willing to advance.
(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
In vain were the well-meant condescensions of Sir Thomas, and all the officious prognostications of Mrs. Norris that she would be a good girl; in vain did Lady Bertram smile and make her sit on the sofa with herself and pug, and vain was even the sight of a gooseberry tart towards giving her comfort; she could scarcely swallow two mouthfuls before tears interrupted her, and sleep seeming to be her likeliest friend, she was taken to finish her sorrows in bed.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
Mr. Micawber, I may remark, had taken his full share of the general bow, and had received it with infinite condescension.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
The equality between her and me was real; not the mere result of condescension on her part: so much the better—my position was all the freer.
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
There was Challenger, with his smile of condescension, his drooping eyelids, his intolerant eyes, his aggressive beard, his huge chest, swelling and puffing as he laid down the law to Summerlee.
(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
The power of displaying the grandeur of his patroness to his wondering visitors, and of letting them see her civility towards himself and his wife, was exactly what he had wished for; and that an opportunity of doing it should be given so soon, was such an instance of Lady Catherine's condescension, as he knew not how to admire enough.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
And so it was that, although Jim was the son of nobody, and I of a King’s officer, it always seemed to me to have been a condescension on his part that he should have chosen me as his friend.
(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
As Harriet now lived, the Martins could not get at her, without seeking her, where hitherto they had wanted either the courage or the condescension to seek her; for since her refusal of the brother, the sisters never had been at Mrs. Goddard's; and a twelvemonth might pass without their being thrown together again, with any necessity, or even any power of speech.
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
Miss Kate put up her glass, and, having taken a survey of the little tableau before her, shut her sketch book, saying with condescension, You've a nice accent and in time will be a clever reader.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
Or, if those proud remembrances, and the consciousness of your own virtues, and the honourable position to which they have raised you in the eyes of everything that wears the human shape, will not sustain you, marry that good man, and be happy in his condescension.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
