Dünkel

16th century, from Middle High German dunc (“thinking, point of view”) +‎ -el. Probably coined by Luther. The Middle High German noun is deverbal from dünken (“to seem”).

• IPA^(key): /ˈdʏŋkəl/, [ˈdʏŋ.kl̩]

• Audio:

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Dünkel m (strong, genitive Dünkels, plural (rare) Dünkel)

1. the (unjustified) conviction that one is better than others; conceit, arrogance

   Synonyms: Einbildung; Arroganz, Hochmut, Selbstgefälligkeit, Überheblichkeit

   Natürlich war er nicht frei von dem tief verwurzelten Dünkel des damaligen Adels, doch verbarg er diesen Dünkel hinter einer liebenswerten Selbstironie.

   Of course, he was not free from the deep-rooted conceit of his day’s nobility, but he hid this conceit behind an endearing self-deprecation.

• Like Einbildung, the word Dünkel refers to an inner belief which may but need not manifest itself in behaviour such as openly dismissive treatment of others. Dünkel is used especially when this belief is based on one’s belonging to a certain group, e.g. a class or race.

• “Dünkel” in Duden online