condescend

Where does the word "condescend" come from? It comes from Late Latin condescendere, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).

Condescend’s story begins in Late Latin: condescendere meant “to climb down together.” To climb down together, from com- (together) and descendere (to climb down). It reached English by 1300s as condescend. Narrowed from graciously lowering oneself to acting with a superior, patronizing air. Today, condescend means to behave as though one is superior to others, in a patronizing way.

1. Stage 1 · Late Latin · ancient condescendere "to climb down together", to climb down together, from com- (together) and descendere (to climb down).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1300s condescend "to act as though one is superior to others", narrowed from graciously lowering oneself to acting with a superior, patronizing air.