Contemn

Contemn
Contemn 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. [1913 Webster]

Thy pompous delicacies I contemn. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • contemn — I verb abhor, abominate, accuse, asperse, be contemptuous of, belittle, besmirch, calumniate, cast aspersions, censure, criticize, debase, debauch, decry, defile, denigrate, denounce, depreciate, deride, derogate, desecrate, despise, detest,… …   Law dictionary

  • contemn — mid 15c., from O.Fr. contemner (15c.), from L. contemnere to despise, scorn (see CONTEMPT (Cf. contempt)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • contemn — *despise, disdain, scorn, scout Analogous words: repudiate, reject (see DECLINE): slight, *neglect, disregard: flout, *scoff, jeer Contrasted words: venerate, *revere, reverence: respect, esteem, admire, regard (see under REG …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • contemn — [kən tem′] vt. [ME contempnen < OFr contemner < L contemnere < com , intens. + temnere, to scorn] Chiefly Literary to treat or think of with contempt; scorn SYN. DESPISE contemner n. contemnor [kəntem′ər, kəntem′nər] …   English World dictionary

  • contemn — See condemn. See condemn, contemn …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • contemn — transitive verb Etymology: Middle English contempnen, from Middle French contempner, from Latin contemnere, from com + temnere to despise Date: 15th century to view or treat with contempt ; scorn Synonyms: see despise • contemner also contemnor …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • contemn — contemner /keuhn tem euhr, tem neuhr/, contemnor /keuhn tem neuhr/, n. contemnible /keuhn tem neuh beuhl/, adj. contemnibly, adv. contemningly, adv. /keuhn tem /, v.t. to treat or regard with disdain, scorn, or contempt. [1375 1425; late ME… …   Universalium

  • contemn — verb /kənˈtɛm/ To treat or regard with contempt. Syn: despise, scorn See Also: contemner, contempt, contemptibility, contemptible, contemptibly, contemptuous …   Wiktionary

  • contemn — Synonyms and related words: abhor, abjure, be above, be contemptuous of, brush aside, care nothing for, chuck, chuck out, contradict, decline, deny, deride, despise, disapprove, discard, disclaim, discount, disdain, dismiss, disown, disparage,… …   Moby Thesaurus

  • contemn — I (Roget s IV) v. Syn. despise, scorn, disdain; see despise , hate 1 . See Synonym Study at despise . II (Roget s Thesaurus II) verb To regard with utter contempt and disdain: despise, disdain, scorn, scout2. Idioms: have no use for, look down on …   English dictionary for students

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