English Lexicon

Disdain

/dɪsˈdeɪn/
nounverbCEFR C1 (Advanced)Top #1500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    The feeling that someone or something is unworthy of one's consideration or respect; contempt.

    "She looked at the messy room with disdain."
As verb
  1. 1

    To regard or treat with haughty contempt; to scorn.

    "He disdained the idea of working with someone he considered inferior."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The word 'disdain' originates from the Old French 'desdaigner', which itself comes from the Latin 'dedignari', meaning 'to deem unworthy'. The term has evolved through the Middle Ages, retaining its connotation of contempt and scorn.

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