from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Disdain \Dis*dain"\ (?; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disdained};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Disdaining}.] [OE. disdainen, desdainen, OF.
desdeigner, desdaigner, F. d['e]daigner; 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.
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Disdaining . . . that any should bear the armor of
the best knight living. --Sir P.
Sidney.
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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.
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When the Philistine . . . saw David, he disdained
him; for he was but a youth. --1 Sam. xvii.
42.
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'T is great, 't is manly to disdain disguise.
--Young.
Syn: To contemn; despise; scorn. See {Contemn}.
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