deign
to think it appropriate to or in accordance with one's dignity; condescend: He would not deign to discuss the matter with us.
to condescend to give or grant: He deigned no reply.
Obsolete. to condescend to accept.
Origin of deign
1Words that may be confused with deign
- deign , dine
Words Nearby deign
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use deign in a sentence
He would never deign me with any sort of acknowledgment, because I was too low on the totem pole.
Chloe Sevigny on ‘The Cosmopolitans,’ New York’s Frat Boy Takeover, and ‘Asshole’ Michael Alig | Marlow Stern | August 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTShould we be grateful for whatever music they deign to release and grade them on a curve because of it?
‘High Hopes’ Review: Bruce Springsteen Lowers the Bar | Andrew Romano | January 7, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe New Mitt, who has discarded his frontrunner Too-Bain-to-deign strategy to cross swords more eagerly with his opponents.
But Canon Drivel's daughter did not deign to answer, she merely rang for prayers.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3) | Charles James WillsMr. Catherwaight did not deign to open his eyes this time, but moved his head uneasily as if he wished to be let alone.
Gallegher and Other Stories | Richard Harding Davis
Mme. la Duchesse, I pray you deign to re-enter your carriage.
The Bronze Eagle | Emmuska Orczy, Baroness OrczyGentle Night; deign to stay awhile: Some help is needed from you.
Amphitryon | MoliereNo; but if it be possible, deign to tell me what passed at this return.
Amphitryon | Moliere
British Dictionary definitions for deign
/ (deɪn) /
(intr) to think it fit or worthy of oneself (to do something); condescend: he will not deign to speak to us
(tr) archaic to vouchsafe: he deigned no reply
Origin of deign
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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