contempt

Meaning

Noun

• The state or act of contemning; the feeling or attitude of regarding someone or something as inferior, base, or worthless; scorn, disdain.
• The state of being despised or dishonored; disgrace.
• Open disrespect or willful disobedience of the authority of a court of law or legislative body.

Origin

• From Latin contemptus, from contemnō, from com- + temnō. Displaced native Old English forsewennes.