contemptible

adj

Etymology: From Middle English contemptible, from Latin contemptibilis.

1. Deserving contempt.

   “But a Devil came in juſt in the God-ſpeed, and told them; Gentlemen Philoſophers, (ſays he) if you vvould knovv the VVretched'ſt, and moſt contemptible thing in the VVorld; It is an Alchymiſt: […]”

   “Miss Ward's match, indeed, when it came to the point, was not contemptible: Sir Thomas being happily able to give his friend an income in the living of Mansfield […]”

2. Carrying or having contempt; contemptuous.

   “One of the above petitioners had frequently praised Edward in the presence of Robert; but it was evidently disliked by the latter, and always drew from him some contemptible remark reflecting on the humility of his origin.”

   “But what a contemptible notion must he entertain of this House!”