deign etymology

Etymology

The word "deign" originates from the Old French word "deignier," which in turn derives from the Latin verb "dignus," meaning "worthy" or "deserving."

Meaning

  • To condescend or stoop to do something regarded as beneath one's dignity or position
  • To grant or bestow a favor or privilege as an act of grace

Origin

The word "deign" entered the English language in the 14th century. It originally had a broader meaning, referring to any act of showing respect or honor. Over time, its meaning narrowed to its current sense of condescending or granting a favor.

Example Sentences

  • The king deigned to receive the ambassadors in his throne room.
  • She deigns to spend a few minutes listening to my problems.
  • I could not deign to lower myself to such a level.

deign relate terms

  • condign

    Etymology The word condign has its origins in Latin con meaning together or wi

  • dainty

    Etymology French daint delicate c 1300 Middle English deyntee dayntee c 1340 O

  • decent

    Etymology Latin decens befitting proper becoming Proto Indo European dek ri

  • decor

    Etymology The word decor comes from the Latin word decorus which means proper fi

  • decorate

    Etymology Latin decorare to adorn beautify Proto Indo European deḱ to grow

  • decorous

    Etymology Latin decorus seemly becoming Proto Indo European dek decency com

  • deign

    Etymology The word deign originates from the Old French word deignier which in turn

  • dignify

    Etymology The word dignify comes from the Latin word dignus meaning worthy or d

  • dignity

    Etymology The word dignity comes from the Latin word dignitas which means worth or

  • diplodocus

    Etymology Name Diplodocus Meaning Double beam Origin Greek words diploos double

  • disciple

    Etymology The word disciple comes from the Latin discipulus which means pupil or

  • discipline

    Etymology Latin disciplina Meaning instruction teaching training Origin discer

  • disdain

    Etymology The word disdain comes from the Old French word desdaignier meaning to

  • docent

    Etymology The word docent is derived from the Latin verb docere which means to teac

  • Docetism

    Etymology The term Docetism derives from the Greek word dokein which means to seem

  • docile

    Etymology Latin docibilis teachable gentle Ultimately from Proto Indo European

  • docimacy

    Etymology Greek δοκιμασία dokimasia testing trial Latin docimare to te

  • doctor

    Etymology The word doctor derives from the Latin word docēre meaning to teach M

  • doctrine

    Etymology The word doctrine originates from the Latin word doctrina which means tea

  • document

    Etymology The word document originates from the Latin word documentum which means p

  • dogma

    Etymology Greek dogma δόγμα meaning opinion belief decree Meaning A

  • dogmatic

    Etymology The word dogmatic originates from the Latin word dogma which means doctr

  • doxology

    Etymology From Late Latin doxologia from Greek δοξολογία doxologia from δ

  • heterodox

  • indignance

    Etymology Late Latin indignatio from Latin indignari to be indignant from Indi

  • indignant

    Etymology Indignus Latin meaning unworthy undeserving ant Suffix denoting a qual

  • indignation

    Etymology Late Latin indignatio from Latin indignus unworthy from in not dign

  • indignity

    Etymology Latin indignitas unworthiness indignity Proto Indo European dheigh

  • orthodox

    Etymology The word orthodox derives from the Greek words ortho meaning right st

  • paradox

    Etymology The word paradox originates from the Greek language para παρά mea

  • synecdoche

    Etymology and Origin The word synecdoche originates from the Greek words syn togethe

  • condescend

    Etymology The word condescend comes from the Latin word condescendere which means t

  • descend

    Etymology Old French descendre Latin descendere De down scandere to climb Me

  • reck

    Etymology Middle English rek from Old Norse rekkja meaning to drive back put to fli

  • move

    Etymology The word move is derived from the Middle English muven which in turn came

  • empty

    Etymology The word empty comes from the Middle English word emty which in turn is d

  • mercy

    Etymology Old French merci Late Latin merces reward payment Proto Indo European

  • stop

    Etymology The word stop comes from the Middle English word stoppen which itself deri

  • fudge

    Etymology The word fudge has an uncertain etymology but there are several theories