'Contempt' definitions:
Definition of 'contempt'
From: WordNet
noun
Lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike; "he was held in contempt"; "the despite in which outsiders were held is legendary" [syn: contempt, disdain, scorn, despite]
noun
A manner that is generally disrespectful and contemptuous [syn: contempt, disrespect]
noun
Open disrespect for a person or thing [syn: contempt, scorn]
noun
A willful disobedience to or disrespect for the authority of a court or legislative body
Definition of 'Contempt'
From: GCIDE
- Contempt \Con*tempt"\ (k[o^]n*t[e^]mt"; 215), n. [L. contemptus, fr. contemnere: cf. OF. contempt. See Contemn.]
- 1. The act of contemning or despising; the feeling with which one regards that which is esteemed mean, vile, or worthless; disdain; scorn. [1913 Webster]
- Criminal contempt of public feeling. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]
- Nothing, says Longinus, can be great, the contempt of which is great. --Addison. [1913 Webster]
- 2. The state of being despised; disgrace; shame. [1913 Webster]
- Contempt and begarry hangs upon thy back. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
- 3. An act or expression denoting contempt. [1913 Webster]
- Little insults and contempts. --Spectator. [1913 Webster]
- The contempt and anger of his lip. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
- 4. (Law) Disobedience of the rules, orders, or process of a court of justice, or of rules or orders of a legislative body; disorderly, contemptuous, or insolent language or behavior in presence of a court, tending to disturb its proceedings, or impair the respect due to its authority. [1913 Webster]
- Note: Contempt is in some jurisdictions extended so as to include publications reflecting injuriously on a court of justice, or commenting unfairly on pending proceedings; in other jurisdictions the courts are prohibited by statute or by the constitution from thus exercising this process.
- Syn: Disdain; scorn; derision; mockery; contumely; neglect; disregard; slight. [1913 Webster]