contempt
UK[kənˈtɛmpt]US[kənˈtɛmpt]
n
The feeling that someone or something is worthless or beneath consideration; scorn.
n
The offense of being disobedient to or disrespectful of a court of law and its officers.
Morpheme Breakdown
con
tempt
con
together, with, thoroughly.
tempt
Etymology
The word "contempt" originates from the Latin noun contemptus, meaning "scorn," which itself is derived from the verb contemnere. This verb is a compound of the intensive prefix con- ("thoroughly") and the root temnere ("to despise, scorn"). The literal sense is thus "to regard someone as thoroughly worthless or beneath notice." The meaning evolved directly into English, retaining the core concept of profound disrespect or disdain, whether directed toward a person, an idea, or, by legal extension, the authority of a court. The spelling of the second element as "tempt" is a historical artifact from the past participle stem, distinct from the unrelated English verb "to tempt."
Analysis
Structure: con + tempt
- con: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "together, with, thoroughly."
- tempt: From Latin temnere (to despise, scorn), via the past participle stem tempt- (as in contemptus).
Examples
She looked at him with utter contempt.
His contempt for the rules eventually got him expelled.
The judge found the disruptive spectator in contempt of court.