Dis*dain" (?; 277), n. [OE.
desdain, disdein, OF. desdein, desdaing,
F. dédain, fr. the verb. See Disdain, v.
t.] 1. A feeling of contempt and
aversion; the regarding anything as unworthy of or beneath one;
scorn.
How my soul is moved with just
disdain!
Pope.
Often implying an idea of haughtiness.
Disdain and scorn ride sparkling in her
eyes.
Shak.
2. That which is worthy to be disdained or
regarded with contempt and aversion. [Obs.]
Most loathsome, filthy, foul, and full of vile
disdain.
Spenser.
3. The state of being despised; shame.
[Obs.] Shak.
Syn. -- Haughtiness; scorn; contempt; arrogance; pride. See
Haughtiness.
Dis*dain" (?; 277), v. t. [imp.
& p. p. Disdained (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Disdaining.] [OE. disdainen,
desdainen, OF. desdeigner, desdaigner, F.
dédaigner; des- (L. dis-) +
daigner to deign, fr. L. dignari to deem worthy. See
Deign.] 1. To think unworthy; to deem
unsuitable or unbecoming; as, to disdain to do a mean
act.
Disdaining . . . that any should bear the armor
of the best knight living.
Sir P. Sidney.
2. To reject as unworthy of one's self, or as
not deserving one's notice; to look with scorn upon; to scorn, as
base acts, character, etc.
When the Philistine . . . saw David, he
disdained him; for he was but a youth.
1 Sam.
xvii. 42.
'T is great, 't is manly to disdain
disguise.
Young.
Syn. -- To contemn; despise; scorn. See Contemn.
Dis*dain", v. i. To be filled with
scorn; to feel contemptuous anger; to be haughty.
And when the chief priests and scribes saw the marvels
that he did . . . they disdained.
Genevan
Testament (Matt. xxi. 15).
