Contempt

Con*tempt" (?; 215), n. [L. contemptus, fr. contemnere: cf. OF. contempt. See Contemn.] 1. The act of contemning or despising; the feeling with which one regards that which is esteemed mean, vile, or worthless; disdain; scorn.

Criminal contempt of public feeling.
Macaulay.

Nothing, says Longinus, can be great, the contempt of which is great.
Addison.

2. The state of being despised; disgrace; shame.

Contempt and begarry hangs upon thy back.
Shak.

3. An act or expression denoting contempt.

Little insults and contempts.
Spectator.

The contempt and anger of his lip.
Shak.

4. (Law) Disobedience of the rules, orders, or process of a court of justice, or of rules or orders of a legislative body; disorderly, contemptuous, or insolent language or behavior in presence of a court, tending to disturb its proceedings, or impair the respect due to its authority.

☞ Contempt is in some jurisdictions extended so as to include publications reflecting injuriously on a court of justice, or commenting unfairly on pending proceedings; in other jurisdictions the courts are prohibited by statute or by the constitution from thus exercising this process.

Syn. -- Disdain; scorn; derision; mockery; contumely; neglect; disregard; slight.