CONDESCENSION

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does condescension mean? 

• CONDESCENSION (noun)
  The noun CONDESCENSION has 3 senses:

1. the trait of displaying arrogance by patronizing those considered inferior

2. a communication that indicates lack of respect by patronizing the recipient

3. affability to your inferiors and temporary disregard for differences of position or rank

  Familiarity information: CONDESCENSION used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CONDESCENSION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The trait of displaying arrogance by patronizing those considered inferior

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

condescension; disdainfulness; superciliousness

Hypernyms ("condescension" is a kind of...):

arrogance; haughtiness; hauteur; high-handedness; lordliness (overbearing pride evidenced by a superior manner toward inferiors)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A communication that indicates lack of respect by patronizing the recipient

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

condescension; disdain; patronage

Hypernyms ("condescension" is a kind of...):

depreciation; derogation; disparagement (a communication that belittles somebody or something)

Derivation:

condescend (treat condescendingly)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Affability to your inferiors and temporary disregard for differences of position or rank

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

condescendingness; condescension

Context example:

the queen's condescension was intended to make us feel comfortable

Hypernyms ("condescension" is a kind of...):

affability; affableness; amiability; amiableness; bonhomie; geniality (a disposition to be friendly and approachable (easy to talk to))

Derivation:

condescend (behave in a patronizing and condescending manner)

 Context examples 

"Have you anything interesting there?" asked Meg, with condescension.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

"In refusing to commit yourself you are but showing a proper scientific reserve," said Challenger, with massive condescension.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He had deigned an explanation, almost an apology, and I did not feel insensible to his condescension, and would not seem so.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

With condescension he accepted their condescension.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

He told me, when I shook hands with him, that he was proud to be noticed by me, and that he really felt obliged to me for my condescension.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Do you observe the way in which he looks round the room from under his drooping eyelids, as though it were a condescension that he should have entered it?

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Slave, I before reasoned with you, but you have proved yourself unworthy of my condescension.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

Emma did not repent her condescension in going to the Coles.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

There comes an end to all things; the most capacious measure is filled at last; and this brief condescension to my evil finally destroyed the balance of my soul.

(The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

She is all affability and condescension, and I doubt not but you will be honoured with some portion of her notice when service is over.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)