contumacy

[ kon-too-muh-see, -tyoo- ]

noun

, plural con·tu·ma·cies.

1. stubborn perverseness or rebelliousness; willful and obstinate resistance or disobedience to authority.

contumacy

/ ˈkɒntjʊməsɪ /

noun

1. obstinate and wilful rebelliousness or resistance to authority; insubordination; disobedience
2. the wilful refusal of a person to appear before a court or to comply with a court order

Word History and Origins

Origin of contumacy¹

1150–1200; Middle English contumacie < Latin contumācia, equivalent to contumāc-, stem of contumāx unyielding, stubborn ( con- con- + -tum- of uncertain sense, though connected by classical authors with both contemnere to regard with contempt and tumēre to swell) + -āx adj. suffix) + -ia -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of contumacy¹

C14: from Latin contumācia, from contumāx obstinate; related to tumēre to swell, be proud

Example Sentences

Dubut of Caen was involved in the trial of the Chauffeurs of Mortagne, in 1809, and sentenced to death for contumacy.

From Project Gutenberg

Mazzini and five more, who escaped, were sentenced in contumacy to death; others were sent to long terms of imprisonment.

From Project Gutenberg

I fear that your long silence and delay on this head is construed into contumacy and resistance.

From Project Gutenberg

If they refused to answer, they were punished for contumacy; if they complied, they were punished for Nonconformity.

From Project Gutenberg

Eighteen years ago he was condemned in contumacy for conspiracy against the life of the late King.

From Project Gutenberg