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.
Think of 'contempt of court' - when someone shows such disrespect they could go to jail! The '-uous' ending (like 'conspicuous') makes adjectives that describe obvious, outward behaviors.
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