vouchsafe
Pronunciation
  • (RP, GA) IPA: /ˌvaʊtʃˈseɪf/
  • (Canada) IPA: [ˌvʌʊtʃˈseɪf]
Verb

vouchsafe (vouchsafes, present participle vouchsafing; past and past participle vouchsafed)

  1. To graciously give, to condescendingly grant a right, benefit, outcome, etc.; to deign to acknowledge.
  2. To receive or accept in condescension.
    • 1913 Eleanor Porter: Pollyanna: Chapter 8:
      Nancy's lips parted abruptly, as if there were angry words all ready to come; but her eyes, resting on Pollyanna's jubilantly trustful face, saw something that prevented the words being spoken.
      "Humph!" she vouchsafed. Then, showing her old-time interest, she went on: "But, say, it is queer, his speakin' to you, honestly, Miss Pollyanna. He don't speak ter no one; and he lives all alone in a great big lovely house all full of jest grand things, they say. Some says he's crazy, and some jest cross; and some says he's got a skeleton in his closet."
Synonyms Related terms Translations
  • French: accorder de manière clémente
  • German: gewähren
  • Portuguese: permitir
  • Russian: удоста́ивать



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