contempt

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike

   I was held in contempt.

2. 2
   noun

   The state or act of contemning; the feeling or attitude of regarding someone or something as inferior, base, or worthless; scorn, disdain.

   And Vickers launched forth into a tirade very different from his platform utterances. He spoke with extreme contempt of the dense stupidity exhibited on all occasions by the working classes. He said that if you wanted to do anything for them, you must rule them, not pamper them.

3. 3
   noun

   Open disrespect or willful disobedience of the authority of a court of law or legislative body.

   The panel voted unanimously on Tuesday to recommend charging Mr. [Stephen K.] Bannon with criminal contempt of Congress for defying its subpoena, sending the issue to the House.

4. 4
   noun

   a willful disobedience to or disrespect for the authority of a court or legislative body

5. 5
   noun

   a manner that is generally disrespectful and contemptuous

6. 6
   noun

   open disrespect for a person or thing

7. 7
   noun

   The state of being despised or dishonored; disgrace.

8. 8
   noun

   Ellipsis of contempt factor.

Etymology

From Latin contemptus (“scorn”), from contemnō (“to scorn, despise”), from com- + temnō (“to despise”). Displaced native Old English forsewennes.