Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1300-1400
Language: Latin
Origin: contemptus, from contemnere 'to think of with contempt', from com- ( COM-) + temnere 'to despise'

contempt

 noun
     
Related topics: Law
con‧tempt [uncountable]
1 a feeling that someone or something is not important and deserves no respect
contempt for
The contempt he felt for his fellow students was obvious.
utter/deep contempt
The report shows utter contempt for women's judgement.
open/undisguised contempt
She looked at him with undisguised contempt.
The public is treated with contempt by broadcasters.
How could she have loved a man who so clearly held her in contempt?
beneath contempt
That sort of behaviour is simply beneath contempt (=does not deserve respect or attention).
2SCL law disobedience or disrespect towards a court of law:
He was jailed for 7 days for contempt of court.
in contempt of something
He was found in contempt of the order.
3 complete lack of fear about something
contempt for
his contempt for danger
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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