condescendant

condescending

adjective kohn-deh-sahn-DAHN Rare

Origin: Latin condescendere (to stoop to)

Usage Note

Condescendant describes someone who acts superior while pretending to be gracious; un ton condescendant and un sourire condescendant are common collocations. The feminine is condescendante; the related noun condescendance ('condescension') is also common.

Examples

"Il parlait d'un ton condescendant à ses collègues."

Natural Translation

He spoke in a condescending tone to his colleagues.

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