contempt
[ kuh n-tempt ]
/ kənˈtɛmpt /
noun
the feeling with which a person regards anything considered mean, vile, or worthless; disdain; scorn.
the state of being despised; dishonor; disgrace.
Law.
- willful disobedience to or open disrespect for the rules or orders of a court (contempt of court) or legislative body.
- an act showing such disrespect.
Origin of contempt
1350–1400; Middle English (< Anglo-French) < Latin
contemptus a slighting, equivalent to
contemn(ere) to despise, scorn (see
contemn) +
-tus suffix of verb action (with loss of
n and intrusive
p)
synonym study for contempt
1.
contempt ,
disdain ,
scorn imply strong feelings of disapproval and aversion toward what seems base, mean, or worthless.
contempt is disapproval tinged with disgust:
to feel contempt for a weakling .
disdain is a feeling that a person or thing is beneath one's dignity and unworthy of one's notice, respect, or concern:
a disdain for crooked dealing .
scorn denotes open or undisguised contempt often combined with derision:
He showed only scorn for those who were not as ambitious as himself.
OTHER WORDS FROM contempt
self-con·tempt, nounWords nearby contempt
British Dictionary definitions for contempt of court
contempt
/ (kənˈtɛmpt) /
noun
the attitude or feeling of a person towards a person or thing that he considers worthless or despicable; scorn
the state of being scorned; disgrace (esp in the phrase hold in contempt)
wilful disregard of or disrespect for the authority of a court of law or legislative body
contempt of court
Word Origin for contempt
C14: from Latin
contemptus a despising, from
contemnere to
contemn
Cultural definitions for contempt of court
contempt of court
The deliberate obstruction of a court's proceedings by refusing to obey a court order or by interfering with court procedures. Contempt of court can be punished by fine, imprisonment, or both.
Idioms and Phrases with contempt of court
contempt
see familiarity breeds contempt.