scherno

mockery

noun SKER-noh Rare

Also means

derision

Usage Note

Scherno is a strong word for contemptuous ridicule aimed at humiliating someone. It is more literary than everyday derisione or presa in giro. The phrase fare scherno di qualcuno means to make a mockery of someone. The plural is regular: gli scherni. Its adjective form is schernito (mocked, derided) and the verb is schernire.

Examples

"Le sue parole erano piene di scherno."

Natural Translation

His words were full of mockery.

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