King James Bible Dictionary

CONTEMPT, noun [Latin See Contemn.]

1. The act of despising; the act of viewing or considering and treating as mean, vile and worthless; disdain; hatred of what is mean or deemed vile. This word is one of the strongest expressions of a mean opinion which the language affords.

Nothing, says Longinus, can be great, the contempt of which is great.

2. The state of being despised; whence in a scriptural sense, shame, disgrace.

Some shall awake to everlasting contempt Daniel 7:1.

3. In law, disobedience of the rules and orders of a court, which is a punishable offense.

See Court
Court

CONTEMPTIBLE, adjective [Latin]

1. Worthy of contempt; that deserves scorn, or disdain; despicable; mean; vile. Intemperance is a contemptible vice. No plant or animal is so contemptible as not to exhibit evidence of the wonderful power and wisdom of the Creator.

The pride that leads to dueling is a contemptible passion.

2. Apt to despise; contemptuous. [Not legitimate.]

CONTEMPTIBLENESS, noun The state of being contemptible, or of being despised; despicableness; meanness; vileness.

CONTEMPTIBLY, adverb In a contemptible manner; meanly; in a manner deserving of contempt.

CONTEMPTUOUS, adjective Manifesting or expressing contempt or disdain; scornful; as contemptuous language or manner; a contemptuous opinion. Applied to men, apt to despise; haughty; insolent; as a nation, proud, severe, contemptuous

CONTEMPTUOUSLY, adverb In a contemptuous manner; with scorn or disdain; despitefully.

The apostles and most eminent Christians were poor, and treated contemptuously

CONTEMPTUOUSNESS, noun Disposition to contempt; act of contempt; insolence; scornfulness; haughtiness.