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spurn

(spûrn)

v. spurned, spurn·ing, spurns

v.tr.

1. To reject with disdain or contempt. See Synonyms at refuse¹.

2. Archaic To kick at or tread on disdainfully.

v.intr.

To reject something contemptuously.

n.
Archaic

1. A contemptuous rejection.

2. A kick.

[Middle English spurnen, from Old English spurnan; see sperə- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

spurner n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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