contumely (redirected from contumelies)

con·tu·me·ly  (knt-m-l, -ty-, -tm-l)

n. pl. con·tu·me·lies

1. Rudeness or contempt arising from arrogance; insolence.

2. An insolent or arrogant remark or act.

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[Middle English contumelie, from Old French, from Latin contumlia; akin to contumx, insolent.]

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contu·meli·ous (knt-ml-s) adj.

contu·meli·ous·ly adv.

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contumely [kon-tume-mill-ee]

Noun

pl -lies Literary

1. scornful or insulting treatment

2. a humiliating insult [Latin contumelia]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

contumely - a rude expression intended to offend or hurt; "when a student made a stupid mistake he spared them no abuse"; "they yelled insults at the visiting team" insult, revilement, vilification, abuse discourtesy, disrespect - an expression of lack of respect low blow - unscrupulous abuse billingsgate, scurrility - foul-mouthed or obscene abuse stinger, cut - a remark capable of wounding mentally; "the unkindest cut of all" invective, vituperation, vitriol - abusive or venomous language used to express blame or censure or bitter deep-seated ill will