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definitions

contemn

[kuhn-tem]
verb (used with object)
  1. to treat or regard with disdain, scorn, or contempt.

Origin of contemn

1375–1425; late Middle English contempnen (< Middle French) < Latin contemnere to despise, scorn, equivalent to con- con- + temnere to slight; see contempt
Related formscon·temn·er [kuhn-tem-er, -tem-ner] /kənˈtɛm ər, -ˈtɛm nər/, con·tem·nor [kuhn-tem-ner] /kənˈtɛm nər/, nouncon·tem·ni·ble [kuhn-tem-nuh-buhl] /kənˈtɛm nə bəl/, adjectivecon·tem·ni·bly, adverbcon·temn·ing·ly, adverbpre·con·temn, verb (used with object)un·con·temned, adjectiveun·con·temn·ing, adjectiveun·con·temn·ing·ly, adverb
Can be confusedcondemn contemn

Synonyms for contemn

scorn, disdain, despise.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for contemned

scorn, hate, disdain

Examples from the Web for contemned

Historical Examples of contemned

  • Despised and contemned as they may be, I believe they cannot be gainsaid.

  • In these sentiments I grew, hated and abhorring, despising and contemned.

    Gomez Arias

    Joaqun Telesforo de Trueba y Coso

  • Henry worshipped him, and the more Tom was contemned the more Henry worshipped.

    A Great Man

    Arnold Bennett

  • Here is told of Beowulf, and how he was contemned in his youth, and is now grown so renowned.

  • Topsy was at first despised and contemned by the upper servants.

    Uncle Tom's Cabin

    Harriet Beecher Stowe

British Dictionary definitions for contemned

contemn

verb
  1. (tr) formal to treat or regard with contempt; scorn
Derived Formscontemner (kənˈtɛmnə, -ˈtɛmə), nouncontemnible (kənˈtɛmnɪbəl), adjectivecontemnibly, adverb

Word Origin for contemn

C15: from Latin contemnere, from temnere to slight
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for contemned

contemn

v.

mid-15c., from Old French contemner (15c.), from Latin contemnere "to despise, scorn" (see contempt).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper