CONTEMPT • DICCIONARIO INGLES.COM • Definition of Contempt

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/kəntˈɛmpt/ Listen

noun

Contempt n.

The act of contemning or despising; the feeling with which one regards that which is esteemed mean, vile, or worthless; disdain; scorn. "Criminal contempt of public feeling." "Nothing, says Longinus, can be great, the contempt of which is great."

The state of being despised; disgrace; shame. "Contempt and begarry hangs upon thy back."

An act or expression denoting contempt. "Little insults and contempts." "The contempt and anger of his lip."

(Law) Disobedience of the rules, orders, or process of a court of justice, or of rules or orders of a legislative body; disorderly, contemptuous, or insolent language or behavior in presence of a court, tending to disturb its proceedings, or impair the respect due to its authority. Note: Contempt is in some jurisdictions extended so as to include publications reflecting injuriously on a court of justice, or commenting unfairly on pending proceedings; in other jurisdictions the courts are prohibited by statute or by the constitution from thus exercising this process.

Synonyms: Disdain; scorn; derision; mockery; contumely; neglect; disregard; slight.

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Etymology of 'Contempt'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Contempt" Quotes from Famous Books

... contraresguardo,—a service so hated that usually only men of poor spirit will enter it at all,—his constant loyalty brought him quick promotion as its just reward. Yet Pedro had no happiness in his advancement. Each step upward, as he very well knew, was earned at the cost of greater hatred and contempt. Those who would have been his friends, had the lines of his life fallen differently, were his enemies. Nowhere could he hope to find kindliness and love. Therefore he grew yet more stern and silent, ...

— Stories by American Authors, Volume 10 • Various

... replied very briefly and coldly to her husband's excited words. She treated them with what she imagined the contempt they deserved; but Nora was neither elated just then by her father's praise nor chilled by her mother's demeanor. Every thought of her heart, every nerve in her highly strung frame, was concentrated on one fact alone—she had surprised ...

— Light O' The Morning • L. T. Meade

... gratify with a view of this Paradise every mortal that revered them sincerely; and to reject only such intruders as presumed to treat either the one or the other with the insolence of disdain, or the coldness of contempt: an incident that I should have thought impossible, from the transcendent beauty which is visible in each; but, to my surprize, they informed me it very ...

— The Eulogies of Howard • William Hayley

... and do my duty there, as I never before have done it. I have not supported your work as I should. I want you to think of me this week as ready to help in anything in my power. Will you accept my apology for my contempt of your request a week ago? I will come into the meeting Thursday night and help in any ...

— Robert Hardy's Seven Days - A Dream and Its Consequences • Charles Monroe Sheldon

... heard for the first time. She addressed herself to Sydney with a quiet dignity—far removed from anger, further removed still from contempt. ...

— The Evil Genius • Wilkie Collins

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