1. A feeling or attitude that somebody or
something is vile, inferior, or worthless; scorn or disdain.
2. In law, the display of
disrespect or defiance of
authority.
Lydia looked at her leech of a boyfriend in contempt; he'd lost his job, had no
prospects, and begged her to quit her job at the club. She refused and told him to drop dead.
Rick Perry, Michele Bachmann and her husband have earned the contempt of much of the
United States; even Santorum has taken on a new meaning.
The wife-battering husband arrogantly flirted with female jurors, showing contempt to the court.