The definition of contempt is a feeling of scorn towards another person or an act showing disrespect for someone or something.
An example of contempt is the feeling that someone has for a person who stole her precious jewelry.
contempt
- the feeling or attitude of one who looks down on somebody or something as being low, mean, or unworthy; scorn
- the condition of being despised or scorned
- the punishable act of showing disrespect for the authority or dignity of a court (or legislature), as by disobedience, unruliness, etc.in full contempt of court (or congress, etc.)
Origin of contempt
Old French ; from Classical Latin contemptus, scorn, past participle of contemnere: see contemncontempt Idioms
beneath contempt
unworthy even to be despised: a hyperbolic use
contempt
noun
- The feeling or attitude of regarding someone or something as inferior, base, or worthless; scorn.
- The state of being despised or dishonored: was held in contempt by his former friends.
- Open disrespect or willful disobedience of the authority of a court of law or legislative body.
Origin of contempt
Middle English, from Latin contemptus, past participle of contemnere, to despise; see contemn.contempt
Noun
(plural contempts)
- (uncountable) The state of contemning; the feeling or attitude of regarding someone or something as inferior, base, or worthless; scorn, disdain.
- The state of being despised or dishonored; disgrace.
- (law) Open disrespect or willful disobedience of the authority of a court of law or legislative body.
Origin
From Latin contemptus (“scorn”), from contemnere (“to scorn, despise”), from com- + temnere (“to despise”).
contempt - Legal Definition
n
The willful defiance,
disregard, or disrespect of judicial or legislative authority or dignity,
especially any disobedience of an order or any conduct that disrupts,
obstructs, or interferes with the administration or procedures of a court or
legislature. See also contemner.
civil contemptContempt that consists of the failure to comply with a court
order that is issued for another’s benefit. The usual penalty is the daily
imposition of a fine or imprisonment until the person in contempt agrees to
obey the order.
consequential contemptSee constructive
contempt.
constructive contemptContempt that occurs outside of a judge’s presence or the
immediate vicinity of a courtroom.
criminal contemptAn act or omission that is in disrespect of the court and
obstructs its administration or procedures. For example, a party who shouts
insults at a judge during a trial would be committing an act of criminal
contempt. The usual penalty is a fixed fine or term of imprisonment.
direct contemptContempt that occurs openly in the presence of a judge or
immediate vicinity of a courtroom.
indirect contemptSee constructive
contempt.
purge[ing] contemptTo comply with court order so as to have sentence of contempt
lifted.
