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contumacy definition

con·tu·macy (kän′tyo̵̅o̅ mə sē, -tə-)

noun pl. contumacies -·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

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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