/kən'tempt; kən`tɛmpt/
n [U]
1 (a) ~ (for sb/sth) feeling that sb/sth is completely worthless and cannot be respected 轻视; 蔑视
*I feel nothing but contempt for people who treat children so cruelly. 我鄙视如此虐待孩子的人.
* I shall treat that suggestion with the contempt it deserves. 我对那项建议理所当然嗤之以鼻.
(b) (fml 文) state of being regarded as worthless and shameful 微不足道; 耻辱
*behaviour which is generally held in contempt, ie despised 被人看不起的行为.
2 ~ of/for sth disregard (of rules, danger, etc) 藐视, 不顾（规则、危险等）
*She rushed forward in complete contempt of danger. 她完全不顾危险往前冲去.
* remarks which betray a staggering contempt for the truth, ie are completely untrue 全然不顾事情真相的言论.
3 (idm 习语) beneath con`tempt completely unworthy of respect 不齿
*Such conduct is beneath contempt. 这种举动为人所不齿. familiarity breeds contempt => familiarity.

n[U]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin;Origin: contemptus, from contemnere 'to think of with contempt', from com- ( COM-) + temnere 'to despise']
a feeling that someone or something is not important and deserves no respect
contempt for
　The contempt he felt for his fellow students was obvious.
utter/deep contempt
　The report shows utter contempt for women's judgement.
open/undisguised contempt
　She looked at him with undisguised contempt.
　The public is treated with contempt by broadcasters.
　How could she have loved a man who so clearly held her in contempt ?
beneath contempt
　That sort of behaviour is simply beneath contempt (=does not deserve respect or attention) .
law disobedience or disrespect towards a court of law
　He was jailed for 7 days for contempt of court .
in contempt of sth
　He was found in contempt of the order.
complete lack of fear about something
contempt for
　his contempt for danger