contempt

Where does the word "contempt" come from? It comes from Latin contemptus, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Contempt’s story begins in Latin: contemptus meant “scorn.” From 'contemnere', to scorn. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as contempt. In English it first meant open disobedience of authority or the law, the sense that survives in 'contempt of court'. It reached English by 1300s as contempt. 'contempt of court' dates from the 1600s. Today, contempt means the feeling that something is worthless.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient contemptus "scorn", from 'contemnere', to scorn.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval contempt "contempt", in English it first meant open disobedience of authority or the law, the sense that survives in 'contempt of court'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s contempt "scorn", 'contempt of court' dates from the 1600s.