[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/despise/)

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# despise

verb (despises, despised, despising)

«despise» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

To despise someone or something is to hate it or look down on it as worthless or wrong. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/despise/#m1)

### In the lessons

in tales, a wicked character despises the good and kind, and a hero may despise cruelty.

### Examples

- I despise cheating. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/despise/#x1)
- The proud queen despised the poor farmer. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/despise/#x2)
- "I despise you," the giant roared. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/despise/#x3)

### Note

nothing for maths

## In Jewish tradition

Here it means treating God as of no value. It is said of people who do not trust God even after the signs.

**Interpretation.** Tradition reads this as a serious sin, a lack of faith. It is part of the story of the spies and the forty years in the wilderness.

### Examples

- And the LORD said unto Moses: 'How long will this people despise Me? and how long will they not believe in Me, for all the signs which I have wrought among them? (Torah NUM.14.11, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/despise/#x1)
- I am innocent — I regard not myself, I despise my life. (Writings JOB.9.21, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/despise/#x2)
- My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD, neither spurn thou His correction; (Writings PRO.3.11, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/despise/#x3)
- In vain dost thou make thyself fair; thy lovers despise thee, they seek thy life. (Prophets JER.4.30, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/despise/#x4)

### Note

nothing for maths

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «despise» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/despise/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«despise» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/despise.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «despise» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/despise/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«despise» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/despise.html) on Mova free.