SUPERCILIOUSNESS

Pronunciation (US):

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does superciliousness mean? 

• SUPERCILIOUSNESS (noun)
  The noun SUPERCILIOUSNESS has 1 sense:

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

  Familiarity information: SUPERCILIOUSNESS used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SUPERCILIOUSNESS (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 ("superciliousness" is a kind of...):

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

Derivation:

supercilious (expressive of contempt)

supercilious (having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy)

 Context examples 

But it was not so bad as that, Isabella; there was no superciliousness; she was very civil.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

A certain superciliousness of look, coolness of manner, nonchalance of tone, express fully their sentiments on the point, without committing them by any positive rudeness in word or deed.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

By Jane, this attention was received with the greatest pleasure, but Elizabeth still saw superciliousness in their treatment of everybody, hardly excepting even her sister, and could not like them; though their kindness to Jane, such as it was, had a value as arising in all probability from the influence of their brother's admiration.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

To behave to her guest with such superciliousness!

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)