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.
&fist; 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.
