Contemning

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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, 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.
  
     Usage: 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]