'disdainful' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'disdeinful,' where 'dis-' meant 'apart' and 'deign' meant 'to think worthy.'

'disdeinful' changed from the Old French word 'desdaigneus' and eventually became the modern English word 'disdainful'.

Initially, it meant 'full of disdain or scorn,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.