American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

2. To speak ill of; disparage.

1. To view or treat with contempt; despise.

[C15: from Late Latin vīlipendere, from Latin vīlis worthless + pendere to esteem]

2. to speak slanderously or slightingly of

1. to treat or regard with contempt

vil•i•pend

(ˈvɪl əˌpɛnd)

1. to regard or treat as of little value or account.

2. to vilify; depreciate.

vīlipendere= Latin vīli(s) cheap (see pendere to consider] [1425–75; late Middle English < Late Latin= Latincheap (see vile ) +to consider]

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