Also 6 -temnour, -nar, -tempner. [Originally contemnour, Anglo-Fr. form equivalent to obs. F. contempneur (1515 in Godef., 1611 Cotgr.), f. contemner to CONTEMN: see -OUR, -ER.]
1. One who contemns; a despiser, scorner.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, VII. xii. 20. Mezentius the king, that in his day Contempnar clepit was of the goddis ay.
1535. Act 27 Hen. VIII., c. 25. A contemnour of the good order of the commonwelthe.
1612. T. Taylor, Comm. Titus ii. 12. Contemners of grace in this present world.
a. 1711. Ken, Hymnotheo, Poet. Wks. 1721, III. 278. Haughty Contemners of the good and wise.
1861. G. G. Perry, Hist. Ch. Eng., I. xv. 567. He was a great contemner of money.
2. One who has committed contempt of court.
1877. Punch, 3 Feb., 37. The Contemner of the Court of Arches.
1889. Law Times, LXXXVIII. 115/2. The sequestration was merely a process in contempt, and did not affect the property of the contemnor.
