scorn

 
Pronunciation: /skɔːn/

noun

[mass noun]
  • a feeling and expression of contempt or disdain for someone or something: I do not wish to become the object of scorn
  • [in singular] archaic a person viewed with contempt or disdain: a scandal and a scorn to all who look on thee
  • [count noun] archaic a statement or gesture indicating contempt: I met with scoffs, I met with scorns

verb

[with object]
  • feel or express contempt or disdain for: the minister scorned Labour’s attempt to woo voters
  • reject (something) in a contemptuous way: a letter scorning his offer of intimacy
  • [no object, with infinitive] refuse to do something because one is too proud: at her lowest ebb, she would have scorned to stoop to such tactics

Phrases

pour scorn on

speak with contempt or mockery of: he poured scorn on the Conservatives' pre-election assurances

Derivatives

scorner

noun ( rare)

Origin:

Middle English: shortening of Old French escarn (noun), escharnir (verb), of Germanic origin