vouchsafe — to give or grant something to someone in a gracious or condescending manner
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to give or grant something to someone in a gracious or condescending manner
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈvaʊtʃseɪf/
Example Sentences
- The celebrity rarely vouchsafes interviews to small magazines.
- My cat vouchsafes me with her presence only when I open a can of tuna.
- The professor vouchsafed no explanation for the difficult assignment.
vouchsafe
VERB[/ˈvaʊtʃseɪf/]
to give or grant something to someone in a gracious or condescending manner
The old king vouchsafed a rare smile to the trembling messenger.
The lord will vouchsafe shelter to keep the waif safe
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Old French 'voucher' (to vouch) combined with 'safe' (to make safe or secure). The word emerged in Middle English, blending the French legal term with English, originally meaning 'to warrant or guarantee.'
Breakdown
vouch (to assert or guarantee) + safe (to make secure or protect) = vouchsafe (to grant or give assurance of something)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The celebrity rarely vouchsafes interviews to small magazines.”
“My cat vouchsafes me with her presence only when I open a can of tuna.”
“The professor vouchsafed no explanation for the difficult assignment.”
“Will you vouchsafe me the honor of this dance?”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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