contemn

verb

con·temn kən-ˈtem How to pronounce contemn (audio)

contemned; contemning; contemns

transitive verb

: to view or treat with contempt : scorn

contemner noun

or less commonly contemnor

kən-ˈtem-nər How to pronounce contemn (audio)

-ˈte-mər

Did you know?

Contemn is derived from the Latin verb contemnere, a word formed by combining con- and temnere ("to despise"). Surprisingly, our verb may have come within a hair's breadth of being spelled "contempn." The Middle French word contempner arrived in Middle English as "contempnen," but that extra "p" disappeared, leaving us with "contemn." You may be wondering about the connection between "contemn" and "contempt," and not surprisingly, they are related. "Contempt" comes from Latin contemptus, which comes from "contemnere." "Contemn" first turned up in print in the 15th century; "contempt" dates from the 14th century.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English contempnen "to slight, spurn," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French contempner "to despise, disdain," borrowed from Latin contemnere "to look down on , show no respect for, despise," from con- con- + temnere "to scorn, despise," of uncertain origin

Note: The verb temnere is probably back-derived from contemnere, which is older and better attested. A comparison has been suggested with the Indo-European verb base *temh₁- "cut," for which Greek also offers an n-present formation in támnein, témnein (see tome), though the semantic link is vague ("cut" > "cut off" > "shun" > "spurn, disdain"?). An older proposed link is with Greek stémbein "to shake about, handle roughly," supposedly comparable with Germanic *stampōn-/*stambōn- "to stamp, trample" (see stamp entry 1), but *stemb- is scarcely an unimpeachable Indo-European root.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

单词	contemns
释义	contemn verb con·temn kən-ˈtem contemned; contemning; contemns transitive verb : to view or treat with contempt : scorn contemner noun or less commonly contemnor kən-ˈtem-nər -ˈte-mər Did you know? Contemn is derived from the Latin verb contemnere, a word formed by combining con- and temnere ("to despise"). Surprisingly, our verb may have come within a hair's breadth of being spelled "contempn." The Middle French word contempner arrived in Middle English as "contempnen," but that extra "p" disappeared, leaving us with "contemn." You may be wondering about the connection between "contemn" and "contempt," and not surprisingly, they are related. "Contempt" comes from Latin contemptus, which comes from "contemnere." "Contemn" first turned up in print in the 15th century; "contempt" dates from the 14th century. Synonyms dis [slang] diss disdain disrespect high-hat look down (on or upon) scorn slight sniff (at) snoot snub See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences arrogant critics who contemn the general public's taste in art Recent Examples on the Web Consequently, the Sadrists were contemned and discounted by Iraq’s liberal elite who form the core of the ICP. Benedict Robin, Washington Post, 7 June 2018 Word History Etymology Middle English contempnen "to slight, spurn," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French contempner "to despise, disdain," borrowed from Latin contemnere "to look down on , show no respect for, despise," from con- con- + temnere "to scorn, despise," of uncertain origin Note: The verb temnere is probably back-derived from contemnere, which is older and better attested. A comparison has been suggested with the Indo-European verb base temh₁- "cut," for which Greek also offers an n-present formation in támnein, témnein* (see tome), though the semantic link is vague ("cut" > "cut off" > "shun" > "spurn, disdain"?). An older proposed link is with Greek stémbein "to shake about, handle roughly," supposedly comparable with Germanic stampōn-/stambōn- "to stamp, trample" (see stamp entry 1), but stemb- is scarcely an unimpeachable Indo-European root. First Known Use 15th century, in the meaning defined above contemns verb present tense third-person singular of contemn as in disdains* to show contempt for arrogant critics who contemn the general public's taste in art Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance disdains hates disrespects despises scorns walks over abominates snoots scouts snubs detests sneezes at abhors loathes looks down (on or upon) sniffs (at) thumbs one's nose (at) disparages deplores slights looks down one's nose (at) deprecates disses belittles execrates high-hats discountenances disfavors disapproves (of) frowns (on or upon) Antonyms & Near Antonyms respects honors treasures cherishes admires values esteems prizes venerates reveres accepts worships approves (of) lionizes favors hallows appreciates subscribes (to) countenances cares (for) okays OKs See More
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contemn

verb

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

verb