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condign

adjective
con·​dign | \ kÉ™n-ˈdÄ«n How to pronounce condign (audio) , ˈkän-ËŒdÄ«n How to pronounce condign (audio) \

Definition of condign

: deserved, appropriate condign punishment
Other Words from condign Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about condign

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Other Words from condign

condignly adverb

Did You Know?

In his 1755 Dictionary of the English Language, lexicographer Samuel Johnson noted that "condign" was "always used of something deserved by crimes." Even today, it is most likely to be used to modify "punishment" or a related word, such as "redress," "justice," or "chastisement." And yet, "condign" (which traces to Latin com-, meaning "thoroughly," and dignus, meaning "worthy") once meant "worthy" or "of equal worth or dignity" in English. How did such a word get chained to "punishment"? It was apparently so condemned in the 1500s by the phraseology of the Tudor Acts of Parliament: "Former statutes … for lacke of condigne punishment … be littell feared or regarded."

Examples of condign in a Sentence

a suspension without pay is condign punishment for breaking the company's code of business ethics

Recent Examples on the Web

 Here’s the problem: There is no satisfying, condign punishment for boorish behavior like Ansari’s. — Kyle Smith, National Review, "Feminists, Stop Bad Sex Before It Happens," 16 Jan. 2018 Journalism’s year of travails, stumbles, goofs, errors, retractions, suspensions, and firings is nemesis of the most vengeful, condign sort. — Varad Mehta, National Review, "A Faulty Restart," 15 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'condign.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of condign

15th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for condign

Middle English condigne, from Anglo-French, from Latin condignus, from com- + dignus worthy — more at decent

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More from Merriam-Webster on condign

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with condign

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for condign

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