Webster's English Dictionary

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despise

de.spise \di-'spi-z\ \-'spi-z-m*nt\ \-'spi--z*r\ vt [ME despisen, fr. OF 
   despis-, stem of despire, fr. L despi]cere, fr. de- + specere to look - 
   more at SPY 1: to look down on with contempt or aversion {despised the 
   weak}  2: to regard as negligible, worthless, or distasteful M may imply 
   any emotional attitude ranging from indifferent disdain to loathing; 
   CONTEMN implies a harsher but more intellectual or impersonal judgment; 
   SCORN may suggest either lively and indignant or profound and passionate 
   contempt; DISDAIN implies an arrogant or supercilious aversion to what is 
   regarded as unworthy; SCOUT implies a derisive refusal to accept something 
   as having any validity, efficacy, or credibility - de.spise.ment n SYN syn 
   CONTEMN, SCORN, DISDAIN, SCOUT: DESPISE