desprecia

Desprecia is the third-person singular present indicative form of the Spanish verb despreciar, which means to despise, to scorn, or to undervalue. It is used to express a negative judgment or a lack of respect toward a person, idea, object, or action.

Etymology: despreciar derives from Latin despectare, formed from de- (down) and specere (to look at). Through the evolution of Old and modern Spanish, the verb acquired the sense of looking down on someone or something and judging it worthless.

Usage and meaning: Despreciar is a transitive verb and normally takes a direct object, often combined with a person or with an idea or proposal. Common senses include showing contempt for someone, undervaluing a contribution, or rejecting something as unworthy. The noun form is desprecio (contempt or disdain), and the adjective form is despreciable (despicable or contemptible).

Conjugation notes: Despreciar is a regular -ar verb, with the notable irregularity in the first-person singular present tense: yo desprecio. Other present indicative forms are: tú desprecias, él desprecia, nosotros despreciamos, vosotros despreciáis, ellos desprecian. The form desprecia appears in the third person singular.

Related terms: menosprecio (underestimation or disregard), desdén (contempt or disdain), and despreciable (despicable). Antonyms include apreciar, valorar, estimar.

Examples:

- El crítico desprecia la propuesta por su falta de innovación.

- No debes despreciar las opiniones de los demás.

Desprecia thus functions as a verb associated with negative valuation and social or intellectual dismissal in Spanish discourse.