despise
UK[dɪˈspaɪz]US[dɪˈspaɪz]
v
to dislike and have no respect for someone or something
Morpheme Breakdown
de
spise
de
down
spise
look
Etymology
the word despise entered english in the 13th century from old french despire, which itself derived from latin despicere, meaning 'to look down on'. the latin term is a compound of de- ('down') and specere ('to look at'), creating a literal sense of regarding someone from a superior height. this concrete visual metaphor evolved into the abstract psychological meaning of contempt, where one mentally regards another as inferior or worthless. the journey from the physical act of looking down to the emotional state of scorn demonstrates a classic pattern of semantic shift from the literal to the figurative.
Analysis
Structure: de (down) + spise (look)
de- (latin origin, a prefix meaning 'down'); spise (from latin root specere meaning 'to look', via old french despire)
Examples
she despised gossip and refused to listen to it.
he despised himself for his cowardice in that moment.
true leaders inspire their teams; they do not despise them.