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Webster 1913 Edition


Disdain

Dis-dain′

(?; 277)
,
Noun.
[OE.
desdain
,
disdein
, OF.
desdein
,
desdaing
, F.
dédain
, fr. the verb. See
Disdain
,
Verb.
T.
]
1.
A feeling of contempt and aversion; the regarding anything as unworthy of or beneath one; scorn.
How my soul is moved with just
disdain
!
Pope.
Often implying an idea of haughtiness.
Disdain
and scorn ride sparkling in her eyes.
Shakespeare
2.
That which is worthy to be disdained or regarded with contempt and aversion.
[Obs.]
Most loathsome, filthy, foul, and full of vile
disdain
.
Spenser.
Syn. – Haughtiness; scorn; contempt; arrogance; pride. See
Haughtiness
.

Dis-dain′

(?; 277)
,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Disdained
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Disdaining
.]
[OE.
disdainen
,
desdainen
, OF.
desdeigner
,
desdaigner
, F.
dédaigner
;
des-
(L.
dis-
) +
daigner
to deign, fr. L.
dignari
to deem worthy. See
Deign
.]
1.
To think unworthy; to deem unsuitable or unbecoming;
as, to
disdain
to do a mean act
.
Disdaining
. . . that any should bear the armor of the best knight living.
Sir P. Sidney.
2.
To reject as unworthy of one’s self, or as not deserving one's notice; to look with scorn upon; to scorn, as base acts, character, etc.
When the Philistine . . . saw David, he
disdained
him; for he was but a youth.
1 Sam. xvii. 42.
Syn. – To contemn; despise; scorn. See
Contemn
.

Dis-dain′

,
Verb.
I.
To be filled with scorn; to feel contemptuous anger; to be haughty.
And when the chief priests and scribes saw the marvels that he did . . . they
disdained
.
Genevan Testament (Matt. xxi. 15).

Webster 1828 Edition


Disdain

DISDAIN

,
Verb.
T.
[L., to think worthy; worthy. See Dignity.] To think unworthy; to deem worthless; to consider to be unworthy of notice, care, regard, esteem, or unworthy of ones character; to scorn; to contemn. The man of elevated mind disdains a mean action; he disdains the society of profligate, worthless men; he disdains to corrupt the innocent, or insult the weak. Goliath disdained David.
Whose fathers I would have disdained to set with the dogs of my flock. Job 30.

DISDAIN

,
Noun.
Contempt; scorn; a passion excited in noble minds, by the hatred or detestation of what is mean and dishonorable, and implying a consciousness of superiority of mind, or a supposed superiority of mind, or a supposed superiority. In ignoble minds, disdain may spring from unwarrantable pride or haughtiness, and be directed toward objects of worth. It implies hatred, and sometimes anger.
How my soul is moved with just disdain.