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Webster 1913 Edition
Contemn
Con-temn′
(kŏn-tĕm′)
, Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Contemned
(-tĕmd)
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Contemning
(-tĕm′nĭng or -tĕm′ĭng)
.] [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.
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. Webster 1828 Edition
Contemn
CONTEMN
,Verb.
T.
1.
To despise; to consider and treat as mean and despicable; to scorn.In whose eyes a vile person is contemned. Psalm 15.
2.
To slight; to neglect as unworthy of regard; to reject with disdain.Wherefore do the wicked contemn God. Psalm 10.
They contemn the counsel of the Most High. Psalm 107.
Definition 2024
contemn
contemn
English
Verb
contemn (third-person singular simple present contemns, present participle contemning, simple past and past participle contemned)
- (archaic) To disdain; to value at little or nothing; to treat or regard with contempt.
- 1919, W. Somerset Maugham, “11”, in The Moon and Sixpence:
- [...] I was perturbed by the suspicion that the anguish of love contemned was alloyed in her broken heart with the pangs, sordid to my young mind, of wounded vanity.
-
- (law) To commit an offence of contempt, such as contempt of court; to unlawfully flout (e.g. a ruling).
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related terms
Translations
to treat or regard with contempt
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