verb
deign
DAYN/deɪn/
To agree to do something one considers beneath one's dignity.
The haughty guest deigns to shake the offered hand.
Etymology
From “deem worthy,” the meaning passed through “accept graciously” to “condescend.” To deign to do something thus suggests treating an otherwise undignified action as worthy of one's attention.
In context
would I thank the most noble knight, Sir Walter Manny, that he should deign to lay aside his greatness
More examples
- The celebrity finally deigned to answer one question.
- She wondered whether he would deign to join them.
- The character will not deign to perform ordinary chores.
Forms
deign · deigns · deigned · deigning
Similar words
- condescend
- Condescend can likewise mean stoop to an action considered beneath oneself.
- agree
- Agree is neutral acceptance; deign implies the person regards the action as undignified.