CONTEMPT • E-FREE TRANSLATION.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

... fascinated gaze fixed upon the being whose eyes seemed to glare with subdued lightnings, like those of the basilisk. There was something awful in that form—something wildly and menacingly sinister in the sardonic smile that curled his lips as if with ineffable contempt, and with the consciousness ...

— Wagner, the Wehr-Wolf • George W. M. Reynolds

... forgotten now, and when he went on, it was for himself, to rid himself of things that had haunted him down all the bleak worlds to his final night of betrayal and death. His eyes were empty, fixed on another life. He did not see the change that crossed Irene's face, did not see the cold contempt fade away, to be replaced slowly with understanding. She leaned forward, lips slightly parted, to hear the end of ...

— Bride of the Dark One • Florence Verbell Brown

... business to inquire, since she is scarcely a member of our church now. Who could have anticipated the daughter of my old friend John Power developing into the ordinary gay woman of the world as she has done? Who could have expected her to associate with people who show contempt for their Maker's intentions by flippantly assuming other characters than those in which He ...

— A Laodicean • Thomas Hardy

... was, the mate made no answer, and Warner, with a snort of contempt at him, went below. In a minute or two he reappeared with his pipe and a large plug ...

— Edward Barry - South Sea Pearler • Louis Becke

... was only Judy's fearless honesty and strongly expressed scorn for equivocation that had kept him moderately truthful. But Judy was miles away, and could not possibly wither him up with her look of utter contempt. He was at the nursery door now, turning the handle with ...

— Seven Little Australians • Ethel Sybil Turner

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