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disdain

 - 3 dictionary results

dis⋅dain

  [dis-deyn, di-steyn]
Use disdain in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to look upon or treat with contempt; despise; scorn.
2. to think unworthy of notice, response, etc.; consider beneath oneself: to disdain replying to an insult.
–noun
3. a feeling of contempt for anything regarded as unworthy; haughty contempt; scorn.
Origin:
1300–50; (v.) ME disdainen < AF de(s)deigner (see dis- 1 , deign ); (n.) ME disdeyn < AF desdai(g)n, deriv. of the verb

Synonyms:
1. contemn, spurn. 3. haughtiness, arrogance. See contempt.

Antonyms:
1. accept. 3. admiration.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To disdain
dis·dain   (dĭs-dān')   
tr.v.   dis·dained, dis·dain·ing, dis·dains

  1. To regard or treat with haughty contempt; despise. See Synonyms at despise.

  2. To consider or reject as beneath oneself.

n.  A feeling or show of contempt and aloofness; scorn.

[Middle English disdeinen, from Old French desdeignier, from Vulgar Latin *disdignāre, from Latin dēdignārī : dē-, de- + dignārī, to deem worthy (from dignus, worthy; see dek- in Indo-European roots).]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

disdain 
c.1290, from O.Fr. desdeignier, from des- "do the opposite of" + deignier "treat as worthy" (see deign).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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