Contemptibility

/kənˌtɛmptəˈbɪləti/ noun

Definition

The quality of being contemptible; the state of deserving contempt or being worthy of scorn.

Etymology

From 'contemptible' (from Latin 'contemptibilis') plus the noun-forming suffix '-ity.' Latin 'contemnere' (despise) + '-ibilis' (capable of being) created the adjective, which then took '-ity.'

Kelly Says

This noun is rarely used because English speakers prefer to say 'contemptibleness' instead—the '-ity' version sounds overly formal even for academic writing.

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