Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Contempt?

\Con*tempt"\ (?; 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. Criminal contempt of public feeling. --Macaulay. Nothing, says Longinus, can be great, the contempt of which is great. --Addison. 2. The state of being despised; disgrace; shame. Contempt and begarry hangs upon thy back. --Shak. 3. An act or expression denoting contempt. Little insults and contempts. --Spectator. The contempt and anger of his lip. --Shak. 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. 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.