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 … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
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 — 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