2 N‑COUNT A condenser is a device for accumulating electric charge.
con|de|scend /kɒ nd I se nd/ (condescends , condescending , condescended )
1 VERB If someone condescends to do something, they agree to do it, but in a way which shows that they think they are better than other people and should not have to do it. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V to-inf] He condescended to speak but he contradicted himself.
2 VERB If you say that someone condescends to other people, you are showing your disapproval of the fact that they behave in a way which shows that they think they are superior to other people. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V + to ] Don't condescend to me. [Also V ]
con|de|scend|ing /kɒ nd I se nd I ŋ/ ADJ If you say that someone is condescending , you are showing your disapproval of the fact that they talk or behave in a way which shows that they think they are superior to other people. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ I'm fed up with your money and your whole condescending attitude.
con|de|scen|sion /kɒ nd I se nʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Condescension is condescending behaviour. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ There was a tinge of condescension in her greeting.
con|di|ment /kɒ nd I mənt/ (condiments ) N‑COUNT A condiment is a substance such as salt, pepper, or mustard that you add to food when you eat it in order to improve the flavour.
con|di|tion ◆◆◆ /kənd I ʃ ə n/ (conditions , conditioning , conditioned )
1 N‑SING If you talk about the condition of a person or thing, you are talking about the state that they are in, especially how good or bad their physical state is. □ He remains in a critical condition in a California hospital. □ The two-bedroom chalet is in good condition. □ You can't drive in that condition.
2 N‑PLURAL The conditions under which something is done or happens are all the factors or circumstances which directly affect it. □ This change has been timed under laboratory conditions. □ The mild winter has created the ideal conditions for an ant population explosion.
3 N‑PLURAL The conditions in which people live or work are the factors which affect their comfort, safety, or health. □ People are living in appalling conditions. □ He could not work in these conditions any longer.
4 N‑COUNT A condition is something which must happen or be done in order for something else to be possible, especially when this is written into a contract or law. □ [+ for ] …economic targets set as a condition for loan payments. □ …terms and conditions of employment. □ Egypt had agreed to a summit subject to certain conditions.
5 N‑COUNT If someone has a particular condition , they have an illness or other medical problem. □ Doctors suspect he may have a heart condition.
6 VERB [usu passive] If someone is conditioned by their experiences or environment, they are influenced by them over a period of time so that they do certain things or think in a particular way. □ [be V -ed] We are all conditioned by early impressions and experiences. □ [be V -ed to-inf] You have been conditioned to believe that it is weak to be scared. □ [be V -ed into v-ing/n] I just feel women are conditioned into doing housework. □ [V -ed] …a conditioned response. ● con|di|tion|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ Because of social conditioning, men don't expect themselves to be managed by women.
7 VERB To condition your hair or skin means to put something on it which will keep it in good condition. □ [V n] …a protein which is excellent for conditioning dry and damaged hair.
8 PHRASE If you say that someone is in no condition to do something, you mean that they are too ill, upset, or drunk to do it. □ She was clearly in no condition to see anyone.
9 PHRASE When you agree to do something on condition that something else happens, you mean that you will only do it if this other thing also happens. □ He spoke to reporters on condition that he was not identified.
10 PHRASE If someone is out of condition , they are unhealthy and unfit, because they do not do enough exercise. □ He was too out of condition to clamber over the top.
11 in mint condition → see mint
con|di|tion|al /kənd I ʃən ə l/
1 ADJ If a situation or agreement is conditional on something, it will only happen or continue if this thing happens. □ [+ on ] Their support is conditional on his proposals meeting their approval. □ …a conditional offer. ● con|di|tion|al|ly /kənd I ʃ ə nəli/ ADV [ADV with v] □ Mr Smith has conditionally agreed to buy a shareholding in the club.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] In grammar, a conditional clause is a subordinate clause which refers to a situation which may exist or whose possible consequences you are considering. Most conditional clauses begin with 'if' or 'unless', for example 'If that happens, we'll be in big trouble' and 'You don't have to come unless you want to'.
con|di |tion|al di s|charge (conditional discharges ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] If someone who is convicted of an offence is given a conditional discharge by a court, they are not punished unless they later commit a further offence. [BRIT , LEGAL ]
con|di|tion|er /kənd I ʃənə r / (conditioners )
1 N‑VAR A conditioner is a substance which you can put on your hair after you have washed it to make it softer.
2 N‑VAR [oft n N ] A conditioner is a thick liquid which you can use when you wash clothes in order to make them feel softer.
3 → see also air conditioner
con|do /kɒ ndoʊ/ (condos ) N‑COUNT Condo means the same as condominium . [AM , INFORMAL ]