'disdain' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'desdaigner,' where 'des-' meant 'apart' and 'daigner' meant 'to deem worthy.'

'desdaigner' transformed into the Middle English word 'disdainen,' and eventually became the modern English word 'disdain.'

Initially, it meant 'to deem unworthy,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.