Showing or feeling that a person or thing is beneath consideration, worthless, or deserving scorn. This attitude involves looking down on others with disdain and superiority.
From Latin 'contemptus,' past participle of 'contemnere' meaning 'to despise' (con- 'with' + temnere 'to slight'). The word entered English in the 16th century, maintaining its sense of scornful disregard.
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