Middle English contempnen "to slight, spurn," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French contempner "to despise, disdain," borrowed from Latin contemnere "to look down on , show no respect for, despise," from con- com-temnere "to scorn, despise," of uncertain origin
despisecontemnscorndisdain mean to regard as unworthy of one's notice or consideration. despise may suggest an emotional response ranging from strong dislike to loathing. contemn implies a vehement condemnation of a person or thing as low, vile, feeble, or ignominious.