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

Trump lied his way all the way into the last month of the 2016 presidential election before the New York Times deigned to use the words “lie” and “Donald Trump” in the same sentence.

From Salon

More than that, he also secured a prized meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a head of government who rarely deigns to trouble himself with mere foreign ministers.

From BBC

When these justices deign to meet-and-greet, it’s with people who won’t ask them about conflicts of interest or gifts from billionaires.

From Los Angeles Times

For someone who insists on ostentatious displays of wealth and control, the setting itself is precisely the kind of place that Trump would never deign to set foot in, let alone spend weeks in.

From Salon

“What pretty skirts,” she deigned to say, looking away.

From Literature