KJV Dictionary Definition: contempt

contempt

CONTEMPT, n. L. See Contemn.

1. The act of despising; the act of viewing or considering and treating as mean, vile and worthless; disdain; hatred of what is mean or deemed vile. This word is one of the strongest expressions of a mean opinion which the language affords.

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

2. The state of being despised; whence in a scriptural sense, shame, disgrace.

Some shall awake to everlasting contempt. Daniel 7.

3. In law, disobedience of the rules and orders of a court, which is a punishable offense.

contemptible

CONTEMPTIBLE, a. L.

1. Worthy of contempt; that deserves scorn, or disdain; despicable; mean; vile. Intemperance is a contemptible vice. No plant or animal is so contemptible as not to exhibit evidence of the wonderful power and wisdom of the Creator.

The pride that leads to dueling is a contemptible passion.

2. Apt to despise; contemptuous. Not legitimate.

contemptibleness

CONTEMPTIBLENESS, n. The state of being contemptible, or of being despised; despicableness; meanness; vileness.

contemptibly

CONTEMPTIBLY, adv. In a contemptible manner; meanly; in a manner deserving of contempt.

Definitions from Webster's American Dictionary of the English Language, 1828.
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