condescend

[Stargzer]

condescend

Part of a full family that contains a verb, an adverb, an adjective, and a noun.

OneLook Dictionary:

verb: debase oneself morally, act in an undignified, unworthy, or dishonorable way

verb: do something that one considers to be below one's dignity

verb: behave in a patronizing and condescending manner

verb: treat condescendingly

Online Etymology Dictionary:

1340, from O.Fr. condescendere, from L.L. condescendere "to let oneself down," from L. com- "together" + descendere "descend." Originally "to yield deferentially;" sense of "to sink willingly to equal terms with inferiors" is from 1611.

Condescension

OneLook Dictionary:

noun: affability to your inferiors and temporary disregard for differences of position or rank (Example: "The queen's condescension was intended to make us feel comfortable")

noun: the trait of displaying arrogance by patronizing those considered inferior

noun: a communication that indicates lack of respect by patronizing the recipient

[Slava]

To riff on stargzer's "con-cur" puppy:

con-descend: a rappelling criminal?

[Stargzer]

Or, "Up the long ladder and down the short rope?"

[Slava]

Or, "Up the long ladder and down the short rope?"

Chute, I wish I'd come up with that one!