condescending

condescending
    adj 1: (used of behavior or attitude) characteristic of those
           who treat others with condescension [syn: {arch},
           {condescending}, {patronizing}, {patronising}]
    

condescending \condescending\ adj.
   exhibiting an attitude of superiority; patronizing; -- used
   of behavior or attitude.

   Syn: arch, patronizing.
        [WordNet 1.5]
    

Condescend \Con`de*scend"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Condescended};
   p. pr. & vb. n. {Condescending}.] [F. condescendre, LL.
   condescendere, fr. L. con- + descendere. See {Descend}.]
   1. To stoop or descend; to let one's self down; to submit; to
      waive the privilege of rank or dignity; to accommodate
      one's self to an inferior. "Condescend to men of low
      estate." --Rom. xii. 16.
      [1913 Webster]

            Can they think me so broken, so debased
            With corporal servitude, that my mind ever
            Will condescend to such absurd commands? --Milton.
      [1913 Webster]

            Spain's mighty monarch,
            In gracious clemency, does condescend,
            On these conditions, to become your friend.
                                                  --Dryden.
      [1913 Webster]

   Note: Often used ironically, implying an assumption of
         superiority.
         [1913 Webster]

               Those who thought they were honoring me by
               condescending to address a few words to me. --F.
                                                  W. Robinson.
         [1913 Webster]

   2. To consent. [Obs.]
      [1913 Webster]

            All parties willingly condescended heruento. --R.
                                                  Carew.

   Syn: To yield; stoop; descend; deign; vouchsafe.
        [1913 Webster] Condescendence
    

34 Moby Thesaurus words for "condescending":
      arrogant, belittling, big, contemptuous, disdainful, domineering,
      haughty, high-faluting, high-flown, high-handed, high-hat,
      high-headed, high-nosed, hoity-toity, imperious, lofty,
      overbearing, patronizing, pompous, priggish, proud, purse-proud,
      sniffy, snippy, snobbish, snobby, snooty, snotty, stuck-up,
      superior, toplofty, uppish, uppity, upstage