I. kənˈtem(p)t noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin contemptus, from contemptus, past participle of contemnere to despise — more at contemn
1.
a. : the act of despising or the state of mind of one who despises : the feeling with which one regards something that is esteemed low, vile, or worthless : disdain , scorn
b. : the condition of having no respect, concern, or regard for something
and, in contempt of heaven and hell, dies rather than bear some yoke of priests or kings — John Masefield
2. : the state of being despised : disgrace , shame
bring his nation into contempt
3. obsolete : an object of contempt
4.
a. : willful disobedience to or open disrespect of the valid rules, orders, or process or the dignity or authority of a court or a judge acting in a judicial capacity whether by contumacious or insolent language, by disturbing or obstructive conduct, or by mere failure to obey the orders of the court
b. : willful disobedience to a lawful order of or willful obstruction of a legislative body in the actual course of exercising its lawful legislative powers
c. : an act or expression denoting such contempt of judicial or legislative authority
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
archaic : contemn