Added 9 October 2026
condescension
/kɑndiˈsɛnʃən/ noun
Latin root: condēscēnsiō Wiktionary
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about condescension at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
-
The act of condescending; a manner of behaving in an outwardly polite way that nevertheless implies superiority to another; patronizing courtesy toward inferiors.
Conscious condescension breeds panderers and enemies, not friends.
- A patronizing attitude or behavior. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}
- Courtesy, affability of a superior towards an inferior.
Origin
From Latin condēscēnsiō.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)