World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesCondescension
/ˌkɒn.dɪˈsen.ʃən/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
An attitude of patronizing superiority; an implicit or explicit assumption of dignity or intelligence superior to that of others.
"Her constant tone of condescension made it difficult for colleagues to offer suggestions during meetings." - 2
The act of behaving in a way that suggests one is lowering oneself to the level of someone considered inferior.
"He spoke to the junior staff with a polite condescension that alienated the entire department."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from the Late Latin word 'condescensio', stemming from 'condescendere' (to condescend, literally 'to descend together'). Over centuries in English, the term shifted from denoting a gracious willingness to lower oneself to an equal level, to its modern pejorative meaning of displaying an arrogant, patronizing attitude of superiority.
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10 Global Lexicons: How "Condescension" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
condescendance
Transliteration: kõdɛsãdãs
"Il a parlé à ses employés avec une grande condescendance."
Herablassung
Transliteration: ˈheːʁapˌlasʊŋ
"Seine Herablassung war für das ganze Team unerträglich."
condiscendenza
Transliteration: kondɪʃenˈdɛntsa
"Accettò le critiche senza mostrare alcuna condiscendenza."
condescendencia
Transliteration: kondesendˈensja
"No soporto la condescendencia con la que trata a sus subordinados."
condescendência
Transliteration: kõdesẽˈdẽsjɐ
"Ela respondeu às críticas com muita condescendência."
अहंकार
Transliteration: ahankaar
"उसके अहंकार ने सभी सहयोगियों को नाराज़ कर दिया।"
屈尊
Transliteration: qūzūn
"他说话的语气带着一种傲慢的屈尊。"
거만함
Transliteration: geomanham
"그의 거만함은 동료들과의 소통을 방해했다."
見下した態度
Transliteration: minoroshita taido
"彼の見下した態度は同僚を不快にさせた。"
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