Main Entry: ²disdain

Function: transitive verb

Etymology: Middle English desdeynen, from Anglo-French desdeigner, dedeigner, from Vulgar Latin *disdignare, from Latin dis- + dignare to deign — more at deign

Date: 14th century

1 : to look on with scorn <disdained him as a coward>
2 : to refuse or abstain from because of disdain <disdained to answer their questions>
3 : to treat as beneath one's notice or dignity

synonyms see despise