Definitions for: Contemn

[v] look down on with disdain; "He despises the people he has to work for"; "The professor scorns the students who don't catch on immediately"

Webster (1913) Definition: Con*temn" (k[o^]n*t[e^]m"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
Contemned (-t[e^]md); p. pr. & vb. n. Contemning
(-t[e^]m"n[i^]ng or -t[e^]m"[i^]ng).] [L. contemnere,
-temptum; con- + temnere to slight, despise: cf. OF.
contemner.]
To view or treat with contempt, as mean and despicable; to
reject with disdain; to despise; to scorn.

Thy pompous delicacies I contemn. --Milton.

One who contemned divine and human laws. --Dryden.

Syn: To despise; scorn; disdain; spurn; slight; neglect;
underrate; overlook.

Usage: To Contemn, Despise, Scorn, Disdain. Contemn
is the generic term, and is applied especially to
objects, qualities, etc., which are deemed
contemptible, and but rarely to individuals; to
despise is to regard or treat as mean, unbecoming, or
worthless; to scorn is stronger, expressing a quick,
indignant contempt; disdain is still stronger,
denoting either unwarrantable pride and haughtiness or
an abhorrence of what is base.

Synonyms: despise, disdain, scorn

See Also: detest, hate

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