| Contemn | v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Contemned p. pr. & vb. n. Contemning ] [ 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. -- 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 ] |
