Category:Disdain

Dis*dain", n. Etym: [OE. desdain, disdein, OF. desdein, desdaing, F. dédain, fr. the verb. See Disdain, v. t.]

1. A feeling of contempt and aversion; the regarding anything as unworthy of or beneath one; scorn. How my soul is moved with just disdain! Pope.

Note: Often implying an idea of haughtiness. Disdain and scorn ride sparkling in her eyes. Shak.

2. That which is worthy to be disdained or regarded with contempt and aversion. [Obs.] Most loathsome, filthy, foul, and full of vile disdain. Spenser.

3. The state of being despised; shame. [Obs.] Shak.

Syn. -- Haughtiness; scorn; contempt; arrogance; pride. See Haughtiness.

disdain Dis*dain", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Disdained; p. pr. & vb. n. Disdaining.] Etym: [OE. disdainen, desdainen, OF. desdeigner, desdaigner, F. dédaigner; des- (L. dis-) + daigner to deign, fr. L. dignari to deem worthy. See Deign.]

1. To think unworthy; to deem unsuitable or unbecoming; as, to disdain to do a mean act. Disdaining. . . that any should bear the armor of the best knight living. Sir P. Sidney.

2. To reject as unworthy of one's self, or as not deserving one's notice; to look with scorn upon; to scorn, as base acts, character, etc. When the Philistine. . . saw Dawid, he disdained him; for he was but a youth. 1 Sam. xvii. 42. 'T is great, 't manly to disdain disguise. Young.

Syn. -- To contemn; despise; scorn. See Contemn.

disdain Dis*dain", v. i.

Defn: To be filled with scorn; to feel contemptuous anger; to be haughty. And when the chief priests and scribes saw the marvels that he did. . . they disdained. Genevan Testament (Matt. xxi. 15).