Despise, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Despised; p. pr. & vb. n. Despising.]
Etymology: [OF. despis-, in some forms of despire to despise, fr. L. despicere, despectum, to look down upon, despise; de- + spicere, specere, to look. See Spy, and cf. Despicable, Despite.]
To look down upon with disfavor or contempt; to contemn; to scorn; to disdain; to have a low opinion or contemptuous dislike of. Fools despise wisdom and instruction. Prov. i. 7. Men naturally despise those who court them, but respect those who do not give way to them. Jowett (Thucyd. ).
Syn. -- To contemn; scorn; disdain; slight; undervalue. See Contemn.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for despise; he lists it under abhor.
Where he writes about it:
Abhor is stronger than despise, implying a shuddering recoil, especially a moral recoil. — from abhor
We abhor a traitor, despise a coward, detest a liar. — from abhor
We abhor Milton's heroic Satan, but we can not despise him. — from abhor