noun
1. : contempt that is committed in the presence of a court in session or a judge acting in a judicial capacity or so near to either of these as to interfere with the proceedings and that tends to belittle or insult the judge or to degrade or obstruct justice : a direct contempt not affecting a civil remedy of a party — compare constructive contempt
2. : contempt that tends to interfere directly with a legislature or one of its committees exercising its lawful powers or that constitutes disrespect for its authority in the course of its lawful proceedings