deign

[deyn]

verb (used without object)

1. 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)

1. to condescend to give or grant.

   He deigned no reply.

2. Obsolete.,  to condescend to accept.

deign

/ deɪn /

verb

1. (intr) to think it fit or worthy of oneself (to do something); condescend

   he will not deign to speak to us

2. archaic,  (tr) to vouchsafe

   he deigned no reply

Word History and Origins

Origin of deign¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of deign¹

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

Example Sentences

She is completely in a pantheon that I could only deign to touch.

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For more proof of our necessity, look at the disasters that befall any community that deigns to cut out its queer eye.

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Violence can be exploding in his face – actually, not figuratively – and he’ll still run only as fast as he has to, perhaps without deigning to remove his hands from his pockets.

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Even if that happens, it remains to be seen whether Trump will deign to adhere to judicially imposed limits.

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When the chief justice even deigns to address the crisis he and his colleagues have created, they look everywhere except at their own behavior.

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