contumelies

Variant of contumely

noun pl. contumelies

  1. haughty and contemptuous rudeness; insulting and humiliating treatment or language
  2. an instance of this; scornful insult

Origin: ME contumelie < OFr < L contumelia, a reproach, abuse; prob. akin to contumacy

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2010 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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