Understanding the Meaning of Disdained

The question asks for the most appropriate meaning of the underlined word "disdained" in the sentence: "The captain disdained the roaring impatience and mutinous disposition of his crews."

Defining Disdain

Let's first understand the meaning of the word 'disdain'. Disdain is a feeling or showing of contempt or lack of respect. When you disdain something or someone, you feel that they are unworthy of your consideration, respect, or attention. It implies looking down on something or someone with scorn.

Analyzing the Sentence Context

The sentence describes the captain's reaction to the "roaring impatience and mutinous disposition of his crews".

• "Roaring impatience" suggests loud, perhaps aggressive, impatience.
• "Mutinous disposition" suggests a tendency towards rebellion or disobedience.

A captain is in a position of authority. When faced with impatience and a tendency towards mutiny from the crew, a captain might react in several ways. The word "disdained" tells us how this captain reacted. Given the negative nature of impatience and mutiny, a captain's reaction is likely to be negative.

Evaluating the Options

Now let's look at the given options and see which one best fits the meaning of "disdained" in this context.

1. Treated with scorn: Scorn means feeling or expressing contempt or derision. This aligns very closely with the definition of disdain, which is a feeling of contempt or lack of respect. Treating impatience and potential mutiny with scorn means showing contempt for it, considering it beneath the captain's notice or respect.
2. Called in question: This means doubting or challenging something. While the captain might question the crew's actions, "disdained" doesn't directly mean to doubt or challenge. It's more about the attitude towards the subject.
3. Gave due importance to: This means treating something as significant or important. This is the opposite of disdain. Disdain is about dismissing something as unworthy, not giving it importance.
4. Release from captivity: This means setting someone free. This option is completely unrelated to the meaning of "disdained" or the context of the sentence about a captain and crew's disposition.

Comparing the options, "Treated with scorn" is the closest meaning to "disdained". The captain regarded the crew's impatience and potential mutiny with contempt, showing a lack of respect or consideration for their feelings or actions.

Conclusion on Disdained Meaning

Based on the definition of disdain and the analysis of the sentence context, the captain felt contempt or lack of respect for the crew's impatience and tendency towards mutiny. This feeling is best described as treating them with scorn.

Revision Table: Key Vocabulary

Additional Information: Understanding Disdain and Scorn

Disdain and scorn are very similar in meaning and are often used interchangeably. Both involve a strong feeling of disrespect or contempt for someone or something considered unworthy. Think of disdain as the feeling itself and scorn as the expression of that feeling, often through actions or words like sneering or dismissing.

• Disdain: More about the internal feeling of unworthiness.
• Scorn: More about the outward expression of contempt or derision.

In the sentence, the captain "disdained" the impatience and disposition, implying he regarded it with contempt. This action of holding it in contempt is equivalent to treating it with scorn.