Having or showing a feeling of patronizing superiority; talking down to someone as if they are less intelligent or important.
From Latin 'condescendere,' from 'con-' (together) + 'descendere' (to descend). Originally meant graciously lowering oneself to another's level, but developed negative connotations of superiority.
Picture someone literally descending from a high tower to speak to you - that's the visual of condescending behavior. They're 'coming down' to your level, implying you're beneath them.
While not exclusively gendered, condescension is historically enforced asymmetrically—women were expected to accept it from authority figures (doctors, judges, husbands) without objection. Men were more often positioned as authority rather than recipients.
Use with awareness that this dynamic has reinforced power imbalances. Call it out when it appears in hierarchical relationships, particularly those with historical gender disparities.
["dismissive","patronizing","talk-down-to"]
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