I. ˈskȯ(ə)rn, -ȯ(ə)n noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English scarn, scorn, scharn, schorn, from Old French escarn, escharn, escar, eschar, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German scern jest, joke, trick, scerōn to behave in a rowdy manner, Middle High German scherzen to leap for joy, jest — more at cardinal
1. : an emotion involving both anger and disgust : passionate contempt : disdain
most of us have such a scorn and loathing of robbery or forgery — B.N.Cardozo
the public's attitude toward his work changing from scorn to veneration during his lifetime — R.M.Coates
2. : an expression of extreme contempt : gibe , flout , taunt
3. : an object of extreme disdain, contempt, or derision
the unfair fighter was the scorn of the spectators
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English scarnen, scornen, schornen, from Old French escarnir, escharnir, of Germanic origin like escarn, escharn — more at scorn I
transitive verb
1. archaic : to treat with extreme contempt : make the object of insult : scoff at : mock , deride
2.
a. : to hold in or reject with extreme contempt : contemn
if one does not work and contribute to the general welfare, he is scorned as a drone — American Guide Series: Arizona
scorned the committee's report
b. : to be unwilling because of scorn : disdain — used with a following infinitive
accepted advertisements which other publishers scorned to print — W.A.Swanberg
scorned to reply in any way — Arnold Bennett
textbooks … published by business men who do not scorn to be educators as well — V.M.Rogers
intransitive verb
: to show contumely or derision : act disdainfully : scoff , mock
you have scorned at my gifts — Charles Kingsley
end all patient love with ribald scorning — Donagh MacDonagh
Synonyms: see despise