scorn

views updated

scorn / skôrn/ • n. the feeling or belief that someone or something is worthless or despicable; contempt: I do not wish to become the object of scorn.• v. [tr.] feel or express contempt or derision for: he accused America of scorning the Arab nation. ∎  reject (something) in a contemptuous way: opponents scorned Noriega's offer to negotiate. ∎  [intr.] refuse to do something because one is too proud: at her lowest ebb, she would have scorned to stoop to such tactics.PHRASES: pour (or heap) scorn on speak with contempt or mockery of.DERIVATIVES: scorn·er n. ( rare ).ORIGIN: Middle English: shortening of Old French escarn (noun), escharnir (verb), of Germanic origin.