contumacy

noun

con·​tu·​ma·​cy kən-ˈtü-mə-sē How to pronounce contumacy (audio)
-ˈtyü-;
ˈkän-tü-,
-tyü-,
-chə- How to pronounce contumacy (audio)
: stubborn resistance to authority
specifically : willful contempt of court

Examples of contumacy in a Sentence

a rogue archbishop who was excommunicated on grounds of contumacy

Word History

Etymology

Middle English contumacie, from Anglo-French, from Latin contumacia, from contumac-, contumax rebellious

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of contumacy was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near contumacy

Cite this Entry

“Contumacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contumacy. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Legal Definition

contumacy

noun
: willful disobedience of a court order
contumacious adjective
Etymology

Latin contumacia, literally, defiance, obstinacy

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!