Contempt

(-temt.) [L. contempt us.] (Law.) Disobedience to the rules, orders, or proce ofa court of competent authority. C. in court is punishable by fine or imprisonment; for C. out of court an attachment may be granted in some of the States, but in others, as in Pennsylvania, no one is guilty of a C. for any publication made or act done out of court, which is in violation of the mandates, orders, or rules of the court.- A breach of privilege of either of the Houses of Congre , or State legislatures, is punishable by that House, by censure or commitment, in the same manner as courts of justice punish for C. [s. 223]