verb
- condescended to give or grant something; did something that one considers to be beneath one’s dignity
Usage: past tense of ‘deign’; often implies reluctance or superiority
Examples
- The famous actor finally deigned to sign autographs for his fans.
- She deigned to answer only the most important questions.
- The professor rarely deigned to speak with undergraduate students.
- He deigned to attend the meeting, though he clearly didn’t want to be there.
- The celebrity deigned to give a brief interview to the local newspaper.
- After much persuasion, she deigned to help with the project.