/
ˈkɒntjuːmɪli,
-tjuːmli/
n.
(pl. contumelies)
archaic insolent or insulting language or treatment.
Derivative
- contumelious
/ˌkɒntjʊˈmiːlɪəs/
adj. - contumeliously adv.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. contumelie, from L. contumelia, perh. from con- ‘with’ + tumere ‘to swell’.