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Napoleonponapa Posted 17 years ago
Vocabulary

The definition of verb

Based on the dictionary Merriam Webster " Condescend" has two meanings:



1 to descend to a less formal or dignified level

2 to assume an air of superiority



So the first definition seem to me that it means " humble or modest"

adn the second is " arrogant and cocky"



If it is the case , how can I make the distinction of which one is which?



Please give some example sentence of how to use this verb.



Thanks
  

Top answer

Both definitions show arrogance and haughtiness. Here are some examples from the COCA. Scholars and critics rarely condescend to discuss local literature and cheap novelettes.

— AlpheccaStars

  • Both definitions show arrogance and haughtiness.
  • Here are some examples from the COCA.
  • Scholars and critics rarely condescend to discuss local literature and cheap novelettes.
  • The Greek gods, through being divine, would condescend to be in the company of beautiful mortal women.
  • He knew all of the merchants who would condescend to sell to him at grossly inflated prices the essentials he had to have, including coal for cooking his food and the rags he wore.
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7 Answers
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Both definitions show arrogance and haughtiness. Here are some examples from the COCA.
  • Scholars and critics rarely condescend to discuss local literature and cheap novelettes.
  • The Greek gods, through being divine, would condescend to be in the company of beautiful mortal women.
  • He knew all of the merchants who would condescend to sell to him at grossly inflated pri
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Is it that #1 means someone have to lower their status . how come it is arrogant.

thanks
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In Longman American Advanced Dictionary it is said " con-descend"
1 to behave as if you think other people are not as good, intelegent, or important as you are : The best young people's magazines do not condescend to their readers.
2 to do something in away that shows you think it is below your social or professional posi
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Thanks

but it seems to me that the second meaning is kind of humble but the first one is arrogant which is in opposite with each other.

the first meaning implies that we are much better than others in terms of everything but the second implies that we have to lower our status to deal with something.

thanks
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I'm sorry but i want to know the meaning of verb.
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Both show arrogance. There is no modesty or humbleness whatsoever in "condescend".

Suppose you are an upper class person and very arrogant. Sometimes you "go slumming" to see how the poor people live, maybe enjoy the "peasant's" music in the poor areas of town, or even eat some ethnic food.

The CEO might eat with the associates in their canteen one time, but all the time he is
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A verb is a word in the dictionary that is labelled "v."or "verb" as its part of speech.

It is the word or words in a sentence that show action.
I underlined all the verbs in my answer and in your question.
AnonymousI am sorry but I want to know the meaning of verb.
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