contempt of congress

Variant of contempt

contempt definition

con·tempt (kən tempt′)

noun

  1. the feeling or attitude of one who looks down on somebody or something as being low, mean, or unworthy; scorn
  2. the condition of being despised or scorned
  3. the punishable act of showing disrespect for the authority or dignity of a court (or legislature), as by disobedience, unruliness, etc.
    in full contempt of court (or congress, etc.) contempt of court (or congress, etc.)

Etymology: OFr < L contemptus, scorn, pp. of contemnere: see contemn

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.