Dictionary

despisable en · ADJ

Etymology

From Middle English despisable, from Old French.

Meanings

1. (archaic) Worthy to be despised.
   • […] Meekness, Condescension, Forbearance, are so far from being despisable Qualities in our Sex, that they are the Glory of it. 1741, Samuel Richardson, Letters Written To and For Particular Friends: on the Most Important Occasions, London: C. Rivington, Letter 146, p. 203:
   • c. 1530, uncredited translator, The Dialoges of Creatures Moralysed, Dialogue 110, And forasmoche as we be so Noble of owr natyf kynde / let vs pursewe such beastis as be vyle & despisable.
   • 1821, James Fenimore Cooper, The Spy, London: G. and W.B. Whittaker, 1822, Volume 1, Chapter 11, p. 297, “but now he is nothing more than despisable, or what’s the same thing, a pedlar without house, pack, or money.”
   • the Jewish Nation, though scattered through the whole World, are not therefore a despisable people, but as a Plant worthy to be planted in the whole world 1641, Manasseh ben Israel, To His Highnesse the Lord Protector of the Common-wealth […] in behalfe of the Jewish Nation, London, page 5:

Forms

Deriveds

despisableness

Synonyms

contemptible · despicable