Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SPURN, v.t. [Sax. spurnan; Ir. sporam; L. sperno, aspernor; from the root of spur, or from kicking.]

1. To kick; to drive back or away, as with the foot. – Shak.
2. To reject with disdain; to scorn to receive or accept. What multitudes of rational beings spurn the offers of eternal happiness!
3. To treat with contempt. – Locke.