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intr.v. con·de·scend·ed, con·de·scend·ing, con·de·scends 1. To do something that one regards as beneath one's social rank or dignity; lower oneself. See Synonyms at stoop1. 2. To behave in a patronizing or superior manner toward someone: Viewed as a popularizer more than a scholar, he was condescended to by his academic colleagues. [Middle English condescenden, from Old French condescendre, from Late Latin condēscendere : Latin com-, intensive pref.; see COM- + dēscendere, to descend; see DESCEND.] con′de·scender n. |
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