vouchsafe
/vautʃ'seif/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb: - To grant or give something, often a favor, information, or a reply, in a gracious or condescending manner, as if bestowing it from a superior position.
Usage and Examples
- Basic Usage: The verb "vouchsafe" is typically used in formal or literary contexts. It often implies that the giver is of higher status or is granting something as a special, perhaps undeserved, favor.
- The king vouchsafed an audience to the humble petitioners.
- She did not vouchsafe a single glance in his direction.
- Common Constructions: It is frequently followed by a direct object (what is given) and an indirect object (to whom it is given), or by an infinitive ("to do" something).
- He vouchsafed no explanation for his sudden departure.
- Would you vouchsafe to tell me your name?
Advanced Usage and Nuances
- Implied Condescension: The core nuance of "vouchsafe" is the implication of condescension. The action is not given as a right but as a gracious concession.
- The expert vouchsafed a few crumbs of advice to the novice.
- Withholding Action: It is commonly used in negative constructions to emphasize a deliberate refusal to grant even a small courtesy.
- The manager vouchsafed them no reply to their repeated queries.
Variants and Related Words
- Vouchsafement (noun, rare): The act of vouchsafing; something that is vouchsafed.
- They waited for a vouchsafement from the authorities.
Synonyms
- Deign: To do something that one considers beneath one's dignity.
- Condescend: To do something in a way that betrays a feeling of patronizing superiority.
- Grant: To agree to give or allow (this is a more neutral synonym without the condescending tone).
Related Phrases and Constructions
- To vouchsafe something to someone: The standard formal construction for granting something.
- He vouchsafed the secret to his most trusted ally.
- To vouchsafe to do something: To condescend to perform an action.
- She finally vouchsafed to acknowledge his presence.
Verb
- grant in a condescending manner