\kun-TEM
to view or treat with contempt : scorn
Jacob believes that any rational scientist must contemn theories of magic and the supernatural.
"Contemn" is derived from the Latin verb "contemnere," a word formed by combining "con-" and "temnere" ("to despise"). Surprisingly, our verb may have come within a hair's breadth of being spelled "contempn." The Middle French word "contempner" arrived in Middle English as "contempnen," but that extra "p" disappeared, leaving us with "contemn." You may be wondering about the connection between "contemn" and "contempt," and not surprisingly, they are related. "Contempt" comes from Latin "contemptus," which comes from "contemnere." "Contemn" first turned up in print in the 15th century; "contempt" dates from the 14th century.
contemn
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- Great Grand Panjandrum
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contemn
-----please, draw me a sheep-----
- Slava
- Great Grand Panjandrum
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A good, strong word that politicians would be well advised to use on occasion.
Just think, when a supporter or activist gets out of hand, the related politician or leader could come out and say they thoroughly contemn the actions of X. Wouldn't some high-falutin' language be welcome from time to time?
Just think, when a supporter or activist gets out of hand, the related politician or leader could come out and say they thoroughly contemn the actions of X. Wouldn't some high-falutin' language be welcome from time to time?
Life is like playing chess with chessmen who each have thoughts and feelings and motives of their own.
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