Main Entry: con·temn

Pronunciation: \kən-ˈtem\

Function: transitive verb

Etymology: Middle English contempnen, from Middle French contempner, from Latin contemnere, from com- + temnere to despise

Date: 15th century

: to view or treat with contempt : scorn

synonyms see despise

— con·tem·ner also con·tem·nor \-ˈtem-nər, -ˈte-mər\ noun