Cruel and mocking laughter or contempt directed at someone or something.
From Latin 'derisio' and 'deridere' (to mock, scoff at), from 'de-' (down) and 'ridere' (to laugh); meaning evolved to express scornful ridicule.
Derision is what makes bullying really sting—it's not just criticism, it's someone laughing *at* you, which activates ancient social fear responses in our brains.
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