There are certain words that strike me for some strange reason. I came across one of those words while finishing a short story by Truman Capote. The word? "Akimbo"
A few words that strike me ~
Akimbo:
1. Placed in such a way as to have the hands on the hips and the elbows bowed outward: children standing with arms akimbo.
2. Being in a bent, bowed, or arched position: “There he remained, dead to the world, limbs akimbo, until we left†(Alex Shoumatoff).
[Middle English in kenebowe : in, in; see in1 + kenebowe(kene-, of unknown meaning + bowe, bow, bend; see bow3).]
Vainglory:
1. Boastful, unwarranted pride in one's accomplishments or qualities.
2. Vain, ostentatious display.
[Middle English vein glory, from Old French vaine gloire, from Latin vna glria, empty pride : vna, feminine of vnus, empty; see vain + glria, glory, pride.]
Vouchsafe
To condescend to grant or bestow (a privilege, for example); deign.
[Middle English vouchen sauf, to warrant as safe : vouchen, to warrant; see vouch + sauf, safe; see safe.]
I find it interesting that I have never encountered this word with the connotation of condescension. Perhaps in the vernacular, but if you look at the word's origins, a sense of condescension doesn't seem to be there. Of course, my encounter with the word comes primarily from the Book of Common Prayer and in an ecclesial setting.
