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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Condescend \Con'de*scend"\, verb (used without an object) [imp. & p. p. {Condescended}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Condescending}.] [F. condescendre, LL. condescendere, fr. L. con- + descendere. See {Descend}.]
1. To stoop or descend; to let one's self down; to submit; to waive the privilege of rank or dignity; to accommodate one's self to an inferior. ''Condescend to men of low estate.'' --Rom. xii. 16.
Can they think me so broken, so debased With corporal servitude, that my mind ever Will condescend to such absurd commands? --Milton.
Spain's mighty monarch, In gracious clemency, does condescend, On these conditions, to become your friend. --Dryden.
Note: Often used ironically, implying an assumption of superiority.
Those who thought they were honoring me by condescending to address a few words to me. --F. W. Robinson.
2. To consent. [Obs.]
All parties willingly condescended heruento. --R. Carew.
Syn: To yield; stoop; descend; deign; vouchsafe.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
condescend
verb
1: behave in a patronizing and condescending manner
2: do something that one considers to be below one's dignity [syn: {deign}, {descend}]
3: debase oneself morally, act in an undignified, unworthy, or dishonorable way; "I won't stoop to reading other people's mail" [syn: {stoop}, {lower oneself}]
4: treat condescendingly [syn: {patronize}, {patronise}]
From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:
42 Moby Thesaurus words for "condescend": OK, accede to, accept, accord to, agree to, approve, approve of, assent, be willing, bridle, connive at, consent, consent to silently, deal with, deign, descend, endorse, give consent, go along with, grant, have no objection, hold with, lower oneself, nod, nod assent, not refuse, okay, patronize, permit, ratify, sanction, say aye, say yes, stoop, take kindly to, toss the head, treat, vote affirmatively, vote aye, vouchsafe, wink at, yield assent
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