I. dis-ˈdān noun
Etymology: Middle English desdeyne, from Anglo-French desdaign, from desdeigner
Date: 14th century
: a feeling of contempt for someone or something regarded as unworthy or inferior : scorn
II. transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English desdeynen, from Anglo-French desdeigner, dedeigner, from Vulgar Latin * disdignare, from Latin dis- + dignare to deign — more at deign
Date: 14th century
1. : to look on with scorn
disdain ed him as a coward
2. : to refuse or abstain from because of disdain
disdain ed to answer their questions
3. : to treat as beneath one's notice or dignity
Synonyms: see despise