a. [ Cf. OF. despisable. ] Despicable; contemptible. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A despising; contempt. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

A despisal of religion. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Despised p. pr. & vb. n. Despising. ] [ OF. despis-, in some forms of despire to despise, fr. L. despicere, despectum, to look down upon, despise; de- + spicere, specere, to look. See Spy, and cf. Despicable, Despite. ] To look down upon with disfavor or contempt; to contemn; to scorn; to disdain; to have a low opinion or contemptuous dislike of. [ 1913 Webster ]

Fools despise wisdom and instruction. Prov. i. 7. [ 1913 Webster ]

Men naturally despise those who court them, but respect those who do not give way to them. Jowett (Thucyd. ).

Syn. -- To contemn; scorn; disdain; slight; undervalue. See Contemn. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state of being despised. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A despising. [ R. ] Holland. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who despises; a contemner; a scorner. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. Contemptuously. [ 1913 Webster ]