different between contempt vs despises

English

Alternative forms

• c?tempt, cõtempt (obsolete)

Etymology

From Latin contemptus (“scorn”), from contemn? (“I scorn, despise”), from com- + temn? (“I despise”). Displaced native Old English forsewennes.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /k?n?t?mpt/
• Rhymes: -?mpt

Noun

contempt (countable and uncountable, plural contempts)

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

Synonyms

• See Thesaurus:contempt

Antonyms

• See Thesaurus:contempt

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

Further reading

• contempt in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• contempt in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• contempt at OneLook Dictionary Search

English

Verb

despises

1. Third-person singular simple present indicative form of despise