daignez

Daignez is the second-person plural present indicative and the imperative form of the French verb daigner. It carries the sense of deigning or stooping to do something, often with a nuance of polite submission or condescension. In standard contemporary usage, daignez appears mainly in formal or literary contexts, particularly in etiquette formulas such as daignez agréer, or in narration describing a past action, as in il daigna répondre. The verb conjugates regularly for the most part, with the imperative form daignez used in requests addressed to a plural or formal singular.

Etymology and meaning: daigner comes from Old French deigner, itself from Latin dignari, related to dignus (worthy). The sense evolved from “to deem worthy” to the English word deign and the French daigner, which retains both the literal sense of condescension and the ceremonial nuance of offering deference.

Usage and register: today, daignez is considered archaic or highly formal in everyday language. It is most often found in official correspondence, old contracts, administrative letters, or literary works. In modern practice, the more common and neutral alternative is veuillez, as in veuillez agréer mes salutations distinguées. When used, daignez can convey a tone of solemn politeness, irony, or antiquated decorum depending on context.

Examples:

- Daignez agréer, Madame, mes salutations les plus distinguées.

- Il daigna enfin répondre après plusieurs semaines.

See also: dignité, digne, deigne, deigner.