Contemn: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from the Latin 'contemnere', meaning 'to scorn'.
• It is formed from 'con-' (meaning 'with') and 'temnere' (meaning 'to scorn or despise').
• Its use in English can be traced back to the 14th century, showing a long history of disdainful attitude.

Literature

• The term is often used in classic literature to portray characters with superiority complexes or noble disdain.
• Shakespeare frequently used the concept of contempt in his works to highlight conflicts between characters.
• In many literary works, characters who contemn others often face consequences for their arrogance.

Philosophy

• In philosophy, particularly in existentialism, to contemn can mean rejecting societal norms and expectations.
• Contempt can reflect deeper issues like inadequacy or fear, leading to an overall dismissiveness of others.
• Exploring contempt can lead to discussions about moral superiority and ethical judgment.

Psychology

• Psychologists observe that expressing contempt can be a defense mechanism to deal with feelings of inadequacy.
• Contempt is one of the 'Four Horsemen' in relationships, indicating critical communication patterns that can lead to breakups.
• Studies show that experiencing contempt in a relationship can reduce empathy and increase misunderstandings.

Cultural Perspectives

• Different cultures express and interpret contempt in varied ways, impacting social interactions.
• In some societies, openly showing contempt can be socially acceptable, while in others, it may lead to ostracism.
• Terms for contempt can differ greatly, emphasizing how nuanced feelings of disdain can be across languages.

This word's position of #32,548 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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• 32545 imminently
• 32546 misquoted
• 32547 lope
• 32548 contemn
• 32549 bleat
• 32550 outshine
• 32551 stateside
• ...