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contumely definition

con·tu·me·ly (kän′to̵̅o̅ mə lē, -tyo̵̅o̅-; kän′to̵̅o̅m lē, -tyo̵̅o̅m-; kən to̵o′mə lē, -tyo̵o′-)

noun pl. contumelies -·lies

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

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

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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