English Dictionary

SUPERCILIOUSNESS

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does superciliousness mean? 

SUPERCILIOUSNESS (noun)
  The noun SUPERCILIOUSNESS has 1 sense:

1. the trait of displaying arrogance by patronizing those considered inferiorplay

  Familiarity information: SUPERCILIOUSNESS used as a noun is very rare.


 Dictionary entry details 


SUPERCILIOUSNESS (noun)


Sense 1

Meaning:

The trait of displaying arrogance by patronizing those considered inferior

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

condescension; disdainfulness; superciliousness

Hypernyms ("superciliousness" is a kind of...):

arrogance; haughtiness; hauteur; high-handedness; lordliness (overbearing pride evidenced by a superior manner toward inferiors)

Derivation:

supercilious (expressive of contempt)

supercilious (having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy)


 Context examples 


But it was not so bad as that, Isabella; there was no superciliousness; she was very civil.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

A certain superciliousness of look, coolness of manner, nonchalance of tone, express fully their sentiments on the point, without committing them by any positive rudeness in word or deed.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

By Jane, this attention was received with the greatest pleasure, but Elizabeth still saw superciliousness in their treatment of everybody, hardly excepting even her sister, and could not like them; though their kindness to Jane, such as it was, had a value as arising in all probability from the influence of their brother's admiration.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

To behave to her guest with such superciliousness!

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)



 Learn English with... Proverbs 
"Ask me no questions, I'll tell you no lies." (English proverb)

"A man who would not love his father's grave is worse than a wild animal." (Native American quotes, Chief Joseph, Nez Perce)

"Beat the iron while it is hot." (Arabic proverb)

"No man has fallen from the sky learned." (Czech proverb)



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