Category:Contumely

Con"tu*me*ly, n. Etym: [L. contumelia, prob. akin to contemnere to despise: cf. OF. contumelie. Cf. Contumacy.]

Defn: Rudeness compounded of haughtiness and contempt; scornful insolence; despiteful treatment; disdain; contemptuousness in act or speech; disgrace. The oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely. Shak. Nothing aggravates tyranny so much as contumely. Burke.