From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Contemn \Con*temn"\ (k[o^]n*t[e^]m"), verb (used with an object) [imp. & p. p. {Contemned} (-t[e^]md); p. pr. & vb. n. {Contemning} (-t[e^]m"n[i^]ng or -t[e^]m"[i^]ng).] [L. contemnere, -temptum; con- + temnere to slight, despise: cf. OF. contemner.] To view or treat with contempt, as mean and despicable; to reject with disdain; to despise; to scorn.
Thy pompous delicacies I contemn. --Milton.
One who contemned divine and human laws. --Dryden.
Syn: To despise; scorn; disdain; spurn; slight; neglect; underrate; overlook.
Usage: To {Contemn}, {Despise}, {Scorn}, {Disdain}. Contemn is the generic term, and is applied especially to objects, qualities, etc., which are deemed contemptible, and but rarely to individuals; to despise is to regard or treat as mean, unbecoming, or worthless; to scorn is stronger, expressing a quick, indignant contempt; disdain is still stronger, denoting either unwarrantable pride and haughtiness or an abhorrence of what is base.
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