Pronunciation: [kˌɒndɪsˈɛnd] (IPA) 
The word "condescend" is spelled with 3 syllables - /kɒndɪˈsɛnd/. The "con" at the beginning of the word is pronounced with the short "o" sound, while the "e" in the second syllable is silent. The third syllable ends with the "d" sound, indicating that the word is in the past tense. To "condescend" means to behave in a superior manner towards someone, often with a sense of arrogance or condescension.
To condescend means to display an attitude of superiority or patronizing behavior towards others, often by voluntarily lowering oneself to their level, to accommodate them or show mercy. This verb typically implies an air of arrogance or a feeling of superiority by an individual who considers themselves more knowledgeable, skilled, or important than others.
The word condescend originated from the Latin word "condescendere," which means "to come down or descend." This suggests the act of figuratively descending from a higher level or position to engage with or address those perceived to be inferior. Condescension may manifest in various ways, such as using simpler language while speaking, explaining something obvious or trivial to someone, or assuming a position of authority in an overly indulgent manner.
When one condescends, they often disregard the equal intelligence or capability of the other person, creating a power imbalance in the interaction. This behavior can be seen as demeaning, disrespectful, or belittling towards others. However, in certain contexts, it is used to describe a benevolent action or an act of kindness, indicating that someone is willingly lowering themselves in order to assist or accommodate those in need, without showing arrogance or patronization.
In summary, condescension typically refers to an act of displaying arrogance or patronizing behavior towards others, often accompanied by a feeling of superiority. It involves voluntarily lowering oneself to someone else's level, whether to accommodate, show mercy, or assert authority, sometimes acting disrespectfully or belittling to those considered less knowledgeable or inferior.
To do some act of courtesy or kindness to an inferior as if an equal; to stoop or descend; to submit; to yield.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "condescend" has its roots in Latin. It is derived from the Latin prefix "con-" meaning "with" or "together", and the verb "descendere", which means "to descend". In Latin, "descendere" referred to physically moving downward, but the word took on a metaphorical sense in Late Latin, conveying the idea of voluntarily lowering oneself, descending in rank or stature for the sake of politeness or humility. This sense of voluntarily stooping to a lower level or treating others as inferior carried over into English, giving us the word "condescend" with its modern meaning of behaving in a patronizing or superior manner.
