Added 8 October 2026
contempt
/kənˈtɛmpt/ noun
In Latin: contemptus, dēspectiō, fāstus Wiktionary
noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about contempt at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
-
Lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike.
he was held in contempt
- A manner that is generally disrespectful and contemptuous.
- Open disrespect for a person or thing.
Origin
From Latin contemptus (“scorn”), from contemnō (“to scorn, despise”), from com- + temnō (“to despise”). Displaced native Old English forsewennes.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)