All 3 Uses of
deign
in
The Scarlet Pimpernel
- The Jew, with characteristic patience, stood humbly on one side, leaning on the knotted staff, his greasy, broad-brimmed hat casting a deep shadow over his grimy face, waiting for the noble Excellency to deign to put some questions to him.†
Chpt 26deign = do something considered beneath one's dignity
- Will your Excellency deign to look.†
Chpt 26 *
- "I heard your Honour," protested the Jew again, while he tried to draw nearer to Chauvelin, "and I swear by Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that I would obey your Honour most absolutely, and that I would not move from this place until your Honour once more deigned to shed the light of your countenance upon your humble servant; but remember, your Honour, I am a poor man; my nerves are not as strong as those of a young soldier.†
Chpt 28deigned = did something that one considers to be below one's dignity
Definition:
do something that one considers to be below one's dignity