Dis‐dain″ (?; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Disdained (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Disdaining.] [OE. disdainen, desdainen, OF. desdeigner, desdaigner, F. dédaigner; 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.
Disdaining... that any should bear the armor of the best knight living. Sir P. Sidney.
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.
When the Philistine... saw David, he disdained him; for he was but a youth. 1 Sam. xvii. 42.
'T is great, 't is manly to disdain disguise. Young.
Syn. — To contemn; despise; scorn. See Contemn.