tr.v. dis·dained, dis·dain·ing, dis·dains 1. To regard or treat with haughty contempt: critics who disdained the writer as a hack. See Synonyms at despise. 2. To consider or reject (doing something) as beneath oneself: disdained receiving an award from the organization; disdained to attend the ceremony. n. A feeling or show of contempt and aloofness; scorn. [Middle English disdeinen, from Old French desdeignier, from Vulgar Latin *disdignāre, from Latin dēdignārī : dē-, de- + dignārī, to deem worthy (from dignus, worthy; see dek- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots).] |
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