Meaning

(rare, uncountable) The state of being contemptuous..

Definitions by Sense

1. (rare, uncountable) The state of being contemptuous.
2. (rare, countable) Someone or something that is contemptuous.

Example Sentences

That the said Mr. Cornelius Dalton persisted, notwithstanding this great act of contemptuosity and discouragement to his creditable and industrious endeavours, to expend, upon the aforesaid farm, in solid and valuable improvements, a sum of seven hundred pounds and upwards, in building, draining enclosing, and manuring—all of which improvements transcendantly elevated the value of the farm in question, as the whole rational population of the country could depose to—me ipso teste quoque.

Tony. And so I was Bessy, I was quarrelling with myself, I assure you it takes a deal of powerful language to make any impression on me, I’m obliged to come it very strong to do myself any good, but I think I have at last lashed myself into a determination not to stand it as I have done. Bessy. [r.] To stand what Tony. Tony. Why your uncle’s contemptuosity and opposition to our union; I suppose because my cousin won’t marry him—he likes to make every body as miserable as himself.

“Fairest Isabella!” he cried, flinging himself at her feet, “long have I been paying my addresses—though the bill was not sent in,—vouchsafe, however, to say you will return my affection.” “Avaunt!” she cried, “thy bones are marrow”— “—Less,” he replied, “very much less, Señora. But why this rejectiousness and contemptuosity? I love thee with an affection that is killing me by inches—if not yards. Say thou wilt be mine,[…]”

A certain German gentleman, not a hundred miles from the Spanish market, got cross one day with some members who were teasing him, and informed them that “familiarity breeds contemptuosity.”

This reminds me that my revered friend, H. W. L., cannot consider this paper even a circumstance, at least so I would gather from his self-congratulatory par. last week in Turf, Field and Farm concerning “we were the only one who mentioned Mr. Harrison having bought Mr. Charles’ collies, etc.” What have you done to H. W. L. that he should treat you with such “contemptuosity?”

The fact is that, as Mr. Toole would say, “too much over-familiarity breeds contemptuosity.”

Juno was at the boiling-point of indignation at the wholesale amours of Jupiter, and I have used the word “wench” as applied to Ariadne, in order to point out her utter contemptuosity towards that personage, as the term “wench” in our own language is generally used in a sense of disrespect.

He tried to sell the pieces as old iron. With scorn and contemptuosity we have to record that this profiteering salesman only offered £1!

Word Forms

• contemptuosities

Synonyms for contemptuosity

When Should You Use Contemptuosity?

Use contemptuosity when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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