Contempt

Pronunciation

• IPA: /kÉ™nˈtÉ›mpt/
• Rhymes: -É›mpt

Alternative forms

• cōtempt obsolete
• cõtempt obsolete

Origin

From Latin contemptus ("scorn"), from contemnere ("to scorn, despise"), from com- + temnere ("to despise").

Full definition of contempt

Noun

1. (uncountable) The state of contemning; the feeling or attitude of regarding someone or something as inferior, base, or worthless; scorn, disdain.
• 1918, W. B. Maxwell, The Mirror and the Lamp Chapter 13, And Vickers launched forth into a tirade very different from his platform utterances. He spoke with extreme contempt of the dense stupidity exhibited on all occasions by the working classes. He said that if you wanted to do anything for them, you must rule them, not pamper them.
2. The state of being despised or dishonored; disgrace.
3. (legal) Open disrespect or willful disobedience of the authority of a court of law or legislative body.

Synonyms

• See

Antonyms

• See

Derived terms

Related terms

• contemn