Con-tēm'n', v. t.

(-tēm'), v. t. [imp. & p. p. CONTEMNED (kon-tēmd'); p. pr. & vb. n. CONTEMNING (kon-tēm'ning).] [Lat. contemnere, from con and temnere, to slight, despise, perhaps allied with temere, and so to treat in a careless manner; O. Fr. contemner, Pr. contempner, It. contemnere.] To consider and treat as mean and despicable; to neglect as unworthy of regard; to reject with disdain; to slight. Thy pompous delicacies I contemn. Milton. One who contemned divine and human laws. Dryden. Syn. — To despise; scorn; disdain; spurn; defy; slight; neglect; underrate; overlook. — To CONTEMN, DESPISE, SCORN, DISDAIN. Contemn is the generic term; to despise is to regard or treat as mean, unbecoming, or worthless; to scorn is stronger, expressing a quick, indignant contempt; disdain is still stronger, denoting either a generous abhorrence of what is base, or unwarrantable pride and haughtiness. Let not your ears despise my tongue forever, Which shall possess them with the heaviest sound That ever yet they heard. Shak. This my long sufferance, and my day of grace, They who neglect and scorn shall never taste. Milton. Tell him, Cato Disdains a life which he has power to offer. Addison.