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Added 9 October 2026

contemn

/kənˈtɛm/ verb

Latin root: contemnō Wiktionary

verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about contemn at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

To disdain; to value at little or nothing; to treat or regard with contempt.
To commit an offence of contempt, such as contempt of court; to unlawfully flout (e.g. a ruling).

Origin

From Middle English contempnen, from Old French contemner, from Latin contemnō (“to scorn”). See also contempt.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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