despise

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   look down on with disdain

   They despise the people for whom they have to work.

2. 2
   verb

   To regard with contempt or scorn.

   Near-synonym: hate

3. 3
   verb

   To disregard or ignore.

Etymology

From Middle English despisen, from Old French despis-, stem of despire, from Latin dēspicere (“to look down upon, despise, scorn”), from dē (“down”) + speciō (“to look at”). Displaced native Old English forsēon.