deign

UK: /ˈdeɪn/ US: /deɪn/ ,(dān)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

deign /deɪn/   v. [ ~ + to + verb]

1. to consider to be fit, proper, or in accordance with one's dignity:
   She would not deign to visit us.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

deign  (dān), v.i. 

1. to think fit or in accordance with one's dignity;
   condescend:
   He would not deign to discuss the matter with us.

v.t. 

2. to condescend to give or grant:
   He deigned no reply.
3. [Obs.] to condescend to accept.

• Latin dignārī to judge worthy, equivalent. to dign(us) worthy + -ārī infinitive suffix
• Old French deignier
• Middle English deinen 1250–1300

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

deign / deɪn/ verb

1. (intransitive) to think it fit or worthy of oneself (to do something); condescend
2. (transitive) to vouchsafe

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French deignier, from Latin dignārī to consider worthy, from dignus worthy