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contumacious

[kon-too-mey-shuh s, -tyoo-]
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adjective
  1. stubbornly perverse or rebellious; willfully and obstinately disobedient.
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Origin of contumacious

First recorded in 1590–1600; contumacy + -ous
Related formscon·tu·ma·cious·ly, adverbcon·tu·ma·cious·ness, con·tu·mac·i·ty [kon-too-mas-i-tee, -tyoo-] /ˌkɒn tʊˈmæs ɪ ti, -tyʊ-/, nounnon·con·tu·ma·cious, adjectivenon·con·tu·ma·cious·ly, adverbnon·con·tu·ma·cious·ness, nounun·con·tu·ma·cious, adjectiveun·con·tu·ma·cious·ly, adverbun·con·tu·ma·cious·ness, noun

Synonyms

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contrary, pigheaded, factious, refractory, headstrong, intractable.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for contumacious

Historical Examples

  • But if I were to be contumacious, I might thank myself for all that would follow.

    Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)

    Samuel Richardson

  • But, the cardinal declared Huss contumacious, and excommunicated him accordingly.

  • “Countess, if thou be contumacious, I cannot shelter thee,” said Leo sternly.

    One Snowy Night

    Emily Sarah Holt

  • Hugh simply added excommunication to the contumacious deacon.

    Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln

    Charles L. Marson

  • Audrey was inclined to be contumacious, but she would not yield the matter so meekly.

    Lover or Friend

    Rosa Nouchette Carey

British Dictionary definitions for contumacious

contumacious

adjective
  1. stubbornly resistant to authority; wilfully obstinate
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Derived Formscontumaciously, adverbcontumaciousness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for contumacious

adj.

c.1600, from Latin contumaci-, stem of contumax "haughty, insolent, obstinate" (see contumely) + -ous.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper