condescension
UK[ˌkɒn.dɪˈsen.ʃən]US[ˌkɑːn.dɪˈsen.ʃən]
n
behavior that shows you think you are more important or more intelligent than other people
n
the act of doing something that you think is below your social or professional position
Morpheme Breakdown
con
descend
sion
con
with, together, completely
descend
to climb down, lower oneself
sion
Etymology
the word condescension originates from the late latin term "condescensionem", the noun of action from the verb "condescendere". this latin verb is a compound of the intensive prefix "con-" and "descendere", meaning "to descend" or "to lower oneself". the original, now obsolete, english sense was neutral, simply meaning "voluntary descent from one's rank or dignity in dealing with others". however, over centuries of usage, the act of lowering oneself came to be viewed not as gracious but as patronizing, imbuing the word with its current negative connotation of displaying a superior attitude. the suffix "-sion" solidifies this concept as an abstract noun denoting the state or action of such behavior.
Analysis
Structure: con + descend + sion
- con-: latin origin, a prefix meaning "with, together, completely".
- descend: latin origin, from "descendere", meaning "to climb down, lower oneself".
- -sion: latin/french origin, a noun-forming suffix indicating an action, process, or state.
Examples
she spoke to the staff with an air of unbearable condescension.
his offer to help was seen as condescension rather than kindness.
there was a hint of condescension in the way he praised their simple efforts.