contemn
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Did not William Blake contemn reason and paint the ghost of a flea?"
From Time Magazine Archive
What right," she asked herself, "has this man to undervalue and contemn my purpose?
From The Adventures of a Widow A Novel by Edgar Fawcett
The King does not believe that I would contemn his commands--in his heart he does not, I am sure!
From Agincourt The Works of G. P. R. James, Volume XX by G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford) James
As Æneas says, “Capistrano had despised the pomps of the world, he had fled from its delights, he had trampled down avarice, he had overcome lust, but he could not contemn glory.”
From A History of The Inquisition of The Middle Ages; volume II by Henry Charles Lea
One does not contemn Calne on account of its misfortunes, but it must always have been a slipshod place.
From The Bath Road History, Fashion, & Frivolity on an Old Highway by Charles G. (Charles George) Harper
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