\Con*tempt"\ (?; 215), n. [L. contemptus, fr.
contemnere: cf. OF. contempt. See {Contemn}.]
1. The act of contemning or despising; the feeling with which
   one regards that which is esteemed mean, vile, or
   worthless; disdain; scorn.
         Criminal contempt of public feeling.  --Macaulay.
         Nothing, says Longinus, can be great, the contempt
         of which is great.                    --Addison.
2. The state of being despised; disgrace; shame.
         Contempt and begarry hangs upon thy back. --Shak.
3. An act or expression denoting contempt.
         Little insults and contempts.         --Spectator.
         The contempt and anger of his lip.    --Shak.
4. (Law) Disobedience of the rules, orders, or process of a
   court of justice, or of rules or orders of a legislative
   body; disorderly, contemptuous, or insolent language or
   behavior in presence of a court, tending to disturb its
   proceedings, or impair the respect due to its authority.
Note: Contempt is in some jurisdictions extended so as to
      include publications reflecting injuriously on a court
      of justice, or commenting unfairly on pending
      proceedings; in other jurisdictions the courts are
      prohibited by statute or by the constitution from thus
      exercising this process.
Syn: Disdain; scorn; derision; mockery; contumely; neglect;
     disregard; slight.