Main Entry: de·ri·
sion
Pronunciation: di-'ri-zh&n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Late Latin derision-, derisio, from Latin deridEre
1 a : the use of ridicule or
scorn to show contempt b : a state of being derided
2 : an
object of ridicule or scorn
Using a word or words
in a way to lower them in your view or
the view of others. "He used a term of derision about him that I can't
repeat here."