Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Contempt \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.

Source : WordNet®

contempt
     n 1: lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike;
          "he was held in contempt"; "the despite in which
          outsiders were held is legendary" [syn: {disdain}, {scorn},
           {despite}]
     2: a manner that is generally disrespectful and contemptuous
        [syn: {disrespect}]
     3: open disrespect for a person or thing [syn: {scorn}]
     4: a willful disobedience to or disrespect for the authority of
        a court or legislative body