contumacy Hear it!

contumacy Definition

con·tu·macy (kän′tyo̵̅o̅ mə sē, -tə-)

noun pl. -·cies

stubborn refusal to submit to authority, esp. that of a law court; insubordination; disobedience

Etymology: ME contumacie < L contumacia < contumax, haughty, stubborn < com-, intens. + tumere, to swell up: see tumor

contumacy Law Definition

n

The willful disobedience of a court’s direction, order, or summons or any other disrespectful or disruptive conduct that would justify a finding of contempt.