[f. CONTEMN + -ING1.] The action of the vb. CONTEMN.
1570. Ascham, Scholem. (Arb.), 54. To be lustie in contemning of others.
1612–5. Bp. Hall, Contempl., O. T., XIX. i. It is no contemning of a foyled enemy.
1749. Fielding, Tom Jones, I. i. His contemning of them as common and vulgar.
