n. & v.
n. 1 disdain, contempt, derision. 2 an object of contempt etc. (the scorn of all onlookers).
v.tr. 1 hold in contempt or disdain. 2 (often foll. by to + infin.) abstain from or refuse to do as unworthy (scorns lying; scorns to lie). think scorn of despise. scorner n.
[ ME f. OF esc(h)arn(ir) ult. f. Gmc: cf. OS skern MOCKERY ]