- deign to do something
- deign to do somethingto lower oneself to do something. •
She will never deign to join in with us.
•I expect that he will not deign to have dinner with us.
Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.
deign to do something
Look at other dictionaries:
deign — verb deign to do something an expression meaning to agree to do something, often used jokingly when you think someone should do that thing all the time: Ah, so you ve deigned to grace us with your presence I see! … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
deign — [deın] v [Date: 1200 1300; : Old French; Origin: deignier, from Latin dignus deserving admiration ] deign to do sth to do something that you think you are really too important to do often used humorously ▪ Travis called after her, but she didn t… … Dictionary of contemporary English
deign — ► VERB (deign to do) ▪ do something that one considers to be beneath one s dignity. ORIGIN Latin dignare deem worthy , from dignus worthy … English terms dictionary
deign — [dān] vi. [ME deignen < OFr deignier < L dignare, dignari, to deem worthy < dignus, worthy: see DIGNITY] to condescend to do something thought to be slightly beneath one s dignity [the duchess deigned to shake my hand] vt. to condescend… … English World dictionary
deign — [ deın ] verb intransitive if someone deigns to do something, they do it but in a way that shows they are not willing: Mandy was the only person who deigned to speak to him … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
deign — UK [deɪn] / US verb [intransitive] Word forms deign : present tense I/you/we/they deign he/she/it deigns present participle deigning past tense deigned past participle deigned showing disapproval if someone deigns to do something, they do it but… … English dictionary
deign — verb a) To condescend; to accept as appropriate to ones dignity. He didnt even deign to give us a nod of the head; he thought us that far beneath him. b) To condescend to give; to do something. The priest deigned a glance at the girl, but replied … Wiktionary
deign — [[t]de͟ɪn[/t]] deigns, deigning, deigned VERB (disapproval) If you say that someone deigned to do something, you are expressing your disapproval of the fact that they did it unwillingly, because they thought they were too important to do it.… … English dictionary
deign — [deɪn] verb do something that one considers to be beneath one s dignity: she did not deign to answer. Origin ME: from OFr. degnier, from L. dignare, dignari deem worthy , from dignus worthy … English new terms dictionary
condescend — verb /ˌkɒndɪˈsɛnd,ˌkɑːndɪˈsɛnd/ a) To come down from ones superior position; to deign (to do something). , Spains mighty monarch, In gracious clemency, does condescend, / On these conditions, to become your friend. Dryden. b) To treat someone as… … Wiktionary
condescend — condescender, condescendent, n. /kon deuh send /, v.i. 1. to behave as if one is conscious of descending from a superior position, rank, or dignity. 2. to stoop or deign to do something: He would not condescend to misrepresent the facts. 3. to… … Universalium
