Origin: 1300–50; (v.) Middle English disdainen < Anglo-French de(s)deigner (see dis-1, deign); (noun) Middle English disdeyn < Anglo-French desdai(g)n, derivative of the verb
Related forms
self-dis·dain, noun
un·dis·dain·ing, adjective
Synonyms 1. contemn, spurn. 3. haughtiness, arrogance. See contempt.
late 13c., from O.Fr. desdeignier, from des- "do the opposite of" + deignier "treat as worthy" (see deign). Related: Disdained; disdainful; disdainfully; disdaining.